IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  MS80 

(716)  872-4503 


A 


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iV 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


D 


D 


n 


0 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pellicul6e 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  biack)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  Mure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout6es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6X6  filmdes. 


The 
to  th 


L'In&titut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliograph<que,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  rndthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

□    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur6es  et/ou  pellicul6es 


y 


D 


The 
poss 
of  tl 
filmi 


Orig 
begi 
the  I 
sion 
otiie 
first 
sion 
or  ill 


Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d6color6es,  tachet^es  ou  piqu6es 


I      I    Pages  detached/ 


Pages  ddtach^es 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Quality  in6gale  de  I'impression 

includes  supplementary  materia 
Comprend  du  matdriel  suppldmentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


rri  Showthrough/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I  includes  supplementary  material/ 

I      I  Only  edition  available/ 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  faqon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


The 
shal 
TIN( 
whi( 

Map 

diffc 

entii 

beg 

righ 

reqi 

met 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl6mentaires: 


Irregular  pagination:   [1]  -  8,  [5]  -  252  p. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

y 

12X                              16X                             20X                              24X                             28X                             32X 

re 

I6tails 
BS  du 
modifier 
Br  une 
filmage 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanlts 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Bibliothdque  nationals  du  Canada 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6x6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet6  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


es 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  whan  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimde  sont  filmds  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaTtra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  film6  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


'  errata 
d  to 

It 

le  pelure, 

:on  d 


n 


1 

2 

3 

32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS  OF  LOUISIANA. 


t'acstmitt*  of^tke  AutoiffnftAs  ot'aumf  />/'tAf  fii*ftnf/uuifif(C 
men  ntrntirnt'f/ intflui  uork.^. 


^eruu^  %  ^;^^;4f^ 


^^7t5- 


^^^ 


^^ 


Ill 


IIISTOUICAI,   Cni.MlCTIONS 


lip 


I.  ()  I    I  S  I  A  \  A, 


rMMUAi'lN.i    ill  W^l  A  lldNs   vl' 


M  A  \  V     KAUi;      \  \  I)     VAIJAiMJ:     I)  o  (    ('  M  K  \  !' S 


iiixAriNc.  Ill  riii: 


\.\TrR.\l.,  ClVir,    AND    POLITICAL 

ISTolJ  V    OF   Til  AT   STA'l'lv 


i:uMi'ii.i;n  wirii 


IIIS'l'oinCAL    AM)    IJKMiUAlMllCAL   Xo'l'KS, 


l\TK(»lil("Hn\. 


15.    F.    F1{K\('II, 


Mfmhrr  i,J  11,"  /.niic<iii>iii  Ilixtunnil  Sin'iihj  :  vf  II, i   Ai,in,,;i)i  As-si,niili„n  lor  iHf 
A,li;uic),iri,l  ,,f  S,'irw,' ;  //„ii,ii,ii,,  M,„i'l„r  „/■  il„-  llishiriviil  S>i,-i,  li/'.'f 
t'n,,i.-iii!i-,iniii  :    ('iini.<i,i,),ilnii:  Mii,il„i  ,,;'  tin    .\,;i,li  mij  „f 
Sulnral  S,-i,;,,;,t  ,.f  l'l,il,„l,li,l,i,i .-  „/'  //„■  ItislvrtviU      ' 


S'lriilij  1,1'  Xiir-  \i,ili :  iii:.. ,  u 


PART   III. 


NK  \\'-V()IJ  K: 
1).    AI>PLKT()\    »k    COM  PAW, 

3frt'   OrUiU,.<:,   J,    Pi.M.l.  :    J.,il,,h'll.  .lolIN  TllAl'MAN  ;     /'.///v.  (I.M.ICNAM  iV   l.i). 

1851. 


iJNTKiinn  acci'i'iliiig  in  Ai't  oi'  ('oii'-'ri's.-',  in  ilic  year  Kil.  liy 
It  r.  iMUiNcir. 

Ill  ill.  Clcrk'.-t  Oflii-i-  n|  till'  |li^l|■il■l  Ciiiirl  nl  iln-  S  iiuIktu  |)itri<'t  'if  Nrw-V'irt, 


iiciN  1.    ri!nw.  riiiNT!:!:. 
I'.i  Anii-st..  Nt'W-Vnik. 


Ill 


1  II  i;  M  i:m  II  i;  li.s 


KOI-  IS  I  A  X  A     II  I  sTm  I;  I  (•  A  I.    S<»C  [  j,  |  y 


i 


I  II  I  .■-     \  II  1.  V  M  K 


io  rrii}irrtfiillii  lir^initrii, 


iiiA.iAMiN  r  ri!i:\t  II 


f 


^ 


CONTENTS. 


fAoa 


Sirttiofr  uf  tlic  Ifc.ti,  II   A    Kullanl   ].],  \)    I'lvsiilmt  of  tlii.  I,oui,si:iii;i  Hi.,. 

tidiral  SiH'iciy, 
A  'rniiisliiliim  .if  |.:i  II;iiiP('.s  Ilistoiiciil  J.piiriial  of  tlic  Kstulili-sliimiit  «.f 
till'  Fn  iich  ill  r,oMi>i.iiiii.  with  XolcH.iii  .Map|ii('tto  ami  Jdlii't,  ll.crvillo, 
Hii'iiviilf.  Saint  Dciiy.s  ].r  Smiir, 'I'onl.v.  Cn./,  it    Law,  .Maiigny,  (Sir.,  A-c. 
A  Tiiiiislatioii  (.f  till'  Li'itcfs  Patent  giaiitcd  t..  M.  Ci-d/.at,      .  , 

A  Translation  of  tlu'  Letters  Tateiit  j,'raiite<l  to  tin;  VVe.-sterti  Company, 
An  Aocoiiiit  of  tin;  Indian  tribi',s  of  lioiiisiiana, 
ATransJalioii  of  liieiiville  s  CorropoiMkiiee  witl(    Don  Maitin  d'Aliar- 

eoinii'  ami  I'atlu.r  Marcillo, 
A  Note  on  tlie  (irarits  or  t'oiice.ssion.s  of  Land  in  Loui.Mana, 
A  Treaty  of  the  Company  of  tlie  Indi,  s  with  tlie  Ur.Miline  Nuns, 
A  Description  of  the  .Military  Fortiliaitions  and  I'o.sts  in  Luuisiana, 
A  Translation  of  the  Ulaek  Code  of  Louisiana, 

Rules  and  Ite^^MihUion.-,  for  the  (Joverniueiit  of  the  Colony  of  Louisiana, 
A  Mi'moir  on  the  importanee  of  colonizing  Louisiana, 
A  Translation  of  the  Historical  JourtuU  of  Futiier  Charlevoix,  with  Hio- 

graphical  ami  Historical  Notes,  .  .  .  .119 

An  Account    of  the  Manners  and  Customs  of  the  Arkaims,    Chactas, 

Chicaehas,  Cherokee,  and  Creek  Indians,  .  \2H 

An  Accotint  ol'the  Aiitiiiuity,  Manners,  and  Customs  of  the  Natchez  Indi- 

•  ....  140 

An  Account  of  the  i\ra.ssacre  of  the  French  by  the  .Natchez  Indians,  145 

An  Account  of  the  liiM  Inhabitants  of  Now  Orleans,  .  .  179 

An  Account  of  the  Belize  and  Mouths  of  the  Missis,si(ipi,  189 
A  Letter  on  the  settlement  of  the  first  Colony  of  Huguenots  in  Nr'w 

France  (Florida),  1502,  jq 


;j 


'.I 
:i8 
4!) 
6!) 

70 

78 

79 

Hi 

80 

101 

112 


8 


CONTKNTS. 


n'  i 


An  Account  of  Joan  Uibaut's  lust  Kxpfdition  ami   Fate  of  tlif  Frcnoli 

Colony  in  Now  France,  ino.'i.  ....  -<*■! 

The  Historical  Jomiial  of  Sauvolc  lirst  Royal  Govriaior  of  T.onisiaiia.  '12:: 

A  jNlLiiioir  of  .M.  dr  Ili.licboniir  on  llic  first  Natcln/  War,  .  '^41 


i 


•Mi 
•223 
241 


"ft 


-i 


■■4 


M  E  M  0  1 11 


OF 


IIOX.  IIEXKY  A.  lULLAllJ),  LL.J)., 

ri!i;sii)i;.\T  uf  tiii;  i.uuisi.wa    iii>-tui;kal  sociktv,  and  latl  jiDiiE 
OF  Tin;  sri'iacME  coujrr  of  i.orisiANA. 


i 


3lAssAriiisi"iTs  and  A'irginia  have  been,  from  early  times,  distin- 
guished as  tliu  inirsing-inothers  of  eminj'nt  lawyers,  judges,  and 
statesmen.  Among  these  an  Otis  and  a  Henry,  a  Story  and  a  Mar- 
shall, a  Parsons  and  a  Wythe,  a  Webster  and  a  Lee,  an  Adams  and 
a  Jefferson,  a  Hancock  and  a  ,^Iadison.  a  Bullard  and  a  IJarbonr. 
do  honor  not  only  to  the  judicial  bencii,  but  to  the  states  that  gave 
them  birth.  When  the  second  part  (,f  this  work  made  its  a])i'iear- 
ancc  last  year,  the  subject  of  this  memoir  was  then  livin--.  and  I 
should  be  doing  injustice  to  the  memory  of  a  friend,  so  distinguished 
in  the  annals  of  Jurisprudence,  were  I  to  close  this  volume  without 
taking  some  notice  of  his  recent  death  and  public  life. 

The  lion.  IIi:m;v  A.  IJi  i.i.aiu).  LL.  I).,  late  Judge  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  of  Louisiana,  Avas  burn  in  (iroton.  3Iassachusetts.  on 
the^  nth  September.  17  8S.  At  an  early  age  he  was  sent  to  Harvard 
University.  Cambridge,  where  he  graduated  at  the  age  of  nineteen. 
In  the  following  year  he  commenced  the  study  of  the  law,  and  at 
the  same  time,  several  of  the  modern  languages,  particularly  the 
French.  Spanish,  and  German,  which  he  spoke  ami  read  with  ereat 
fluency.  From  J}oston  he  proceeded  to  Philadelphia,  and  entered 
the  law  ctr.ce  of  Peter  A.  IJrowne.  E...p,  L].  D.,  then  one  of  the 
most  eminent  lawyers  of  that  city,  but  who  has  since  retired  from 
the  bar.  to  devote  himself  to  j.hilosojdiical  and  .^cientifh'  investiga- 
tions, which    do  honor  to  his  hijihly  eultivatec 


and  1 


1:1s  given  him  a  hiirh  rank 


ily  cultivated  and    gifted 
among  the  sarans  of  Europe. 


mind. 


6 


lllSTdKK.'AI,    (OLLKcriUNS    OK    I.OIISI.WA. 


(;; 


(   I 


In  this  city,  lio  liccamc  acqimintod  with  TilirhiiKiii.  Piiponcoau. 
Dallas.  Jiiiiiu'v.  and  the  Tii2;crsolIs,  whoso  w  ritiiiLts  ami  forensic 
oloiiucnce,  aro  still  the  thonio  of  every  |i(n. 

From  I'hiladelphia  yoiin,ir  IJiiUard  fallowed  the  onward  niareh  of 
empire  to  the  West,  and  joined  in  an  expedition  to  republieanizo  a 
part  of  Mexieii.  After  several  hair-breadth  oserpes.  In;  iiiially  rc- 
t'.irned  to  Xatchitoehes.  where  he  opened  a  lawoifiee. 

At  that  time  a  jiraftisinjij  lawyer  in  the  v/estern  district  of  Louisi- 
ana was  compelled  to  ride  a  circuit  cnibraciiiir  Opelousas,  Avoyelles, 
Alexandria.  Natchitoches,  Ouachita,  and  ('i)neordia.  a  distanci!  prob- 
ably of  three  hundred  miles.  The  practice  was  lucrative,  and  the 
bar  of  Louisiana  luimbered  then  more  men  nf  talent  and  learning 
than  ha.s  appeared  at  any  Rubse(|ucnt  period. 

The  nanus  of  Livln,uston.  Porter,  Wilson,  Johnson.  ]5rent.  Bowcn, 
Bronson.  Lewis.  ]\Iatliews,  Mazurean.  Thomas,  and  IJullard,  would 
lia\'e  done  honor  to  any  country  :  ami  of  these  only  Thomas  and  IJron- 
son  still  survive.  In  1S:!().  ,Judij;e  JJuUard  was  elected  t(j  Congress, 
and  in  l.'-^li-i  he  was  appointed  District  Judge.  In  \>'M.  he  was 
elevated  to  the  Supreme  Dench,  taking  the  place  of  Judge  Porter, 
who  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States.  While  in 
Congress,  he  spoke  on  several  occasions,  and  was  listened  to  with 
the  most  marked  attention.  Ilis  nu^st  elaborate  speech  was  on  the 
Tariff  bill,  in  ISIJ-i.  He  remained  on  the  Supreme  IJcnch  from  1834 
to  18  U).  with  the  exception  of  a  few  months  in  \b'-VJ.  when  he  filled 
the  office  of  Secretary  of  State,  and  resumed  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession, lie  kept  up  to  the  last  his  habit  of  reading  the  classics  and 
the  best  writers  on  French  jurisprudence,  the  lloman  and  civil  law. 
His  conversation  was  that  of  a  full  man  without  the  slightest  ap- 
proach to  pedantry.      It  may  well  be  said  of  him,  that 

■'  lie  was  a  scliolar,  ami  a  wisi;  aii'l  good  one  ; 
Exceeding  wise,  fair-spoken,  and  penaiading." 

As  a  speaker,  he  had  the  advantage  of  a  face  of  great  beauty,  which 
the  ravages  of  the  gout  could  not  destroy ;  a  musical  voice,  and  a 
brilliant  eye.  When  excited,  he  spoke  with  great  feeling,  force,  and 
eloquence.  His  last  public  speech,  in  New  Orleans,  was  at  the  bar- 
meeting,  called  together  by  tin;  death  of  the  Hon  S.  S.  Prentiss,  on 
which  occasion  he  pronounced  one  of  the  most  beautiful  eulogies  that 
we  have  on  record.  His  opinions  while  on  the  bench,  are  models  of  ju- 
dicial rhetoric,  brief,  perspicuous,  and  pointed.  As  a  writer  he  had 
few  eijuals  ;  he  wrote  without  effort,  yet  with  a  critical  accuracy  that 
defied  correction 


MKMOIK    Of    IIOX.   lir.VKV     A    111,1,1,  Mil). 


would 


Besiilo-t  his  rcportt'd  dueisioiis.  while  on  tlic  honch.  h(;  dolivcroil 
ni'Uiy  hMitnrt's  ;ind  addrossfs,  whl(!h  iiii^'ht,  well  he  CDinirircd  with 
sitiiihir  produi-'tiotis  in  ;iiiy  l;inii;ii,iL;('.  [ii  IS  17.  ho  was  appointiMl 
ProtV'ssdr  of  tlio  (Vivil  Law,  in  the  rnivcr.slty  of  Loiii-iaii;!.  whore 
lio  (h'liviTinl  two  courses  of  locturcs  to  a  hiri^'o  rhiss.  [ii  ls,'»0,  ho 
was  olocteil  to  lill  a  vacaui'v  in  (Joii^rcss.  oocasiontd  by  tho  appoint- 
ment oftho  Ffon.  ('  M.  Oonrail.  to  the  post  of  Soorotary  of  W'ar.  ITo 
did  not  spcik  much  during  this  session,  (though  we  know  h(!  liad 
prepared  himself  do  i^o  on  the  California  bills.)  being  prevented 
by  ill  health.  His  thorough  knowledge  of  the  Spanish  laws,  and 
their  system  of  land-titles,  would  have  enabled  liiin  to  give  O.ngress 
much  valual)le  information  which  is  now  lost.  During  the  session 
he  argui'd  .■several  imjtoi'tant  cases  b^firc;  tln'  .'Supreme  Court,  and 
was  li.'-tcneil  to  with  (■a'j;i'r  atleiilion.  His  health  gradually  de- 
clined, until  he  reichcd  .\\  w  ( )ihaiis.  in  Ajiril.  JS.'il.  where,  after  a 
lingering  illness  of  three  weeks,  he  died  from  gout  in  the  stomach. 

At  an  adjourned  meeting  of  tiie  niember.s  of  the  bar.  at  which  the 
Hon.  V.  lioselius  presided,  the  following  resolutions  were  unani- 
mously adopted  and  ordered  to  be  publisheil  : 


The  Comiiiiltee  aiiiMiiiitcilhy  tlic  ."Mciiiln'i.s  lit'  the  l!,ir  at  \cw  Orleans,  ti> 
present  t')  an  .■uijoiu-iied  niurtiii^-.  ri'solntiniis  cvpri'ssivc  dl'diu-  fiTliiii^s  on  the 
nielaiieholy  occasion  of  the  (leatli  of  thi'  lion.  Hiairy  .-\.  Ijullanl,  re.xpcctfullv 
begl  cavi'  to  i'e|)ort  th(>  followin;;  : 

Whereas  the  I>ar  of  Louifiiana  has  .siL^jtain-il  ,i,'rri(t  lo^s  in  tla  ilrjith  ofadis- 
ting;iiisl)eil  member  of  its  hixly,  wiio,;^  liriihant  tali'Mt.^.  varied  attainments. 
public  services,  and  private  wo.-tl\,  deserve  a  iiennaiient  leeonl  of  the  resiiect 
and  esteem  of  his  cornpeer.s ; 

Wliereas  a  manifestation  of  the  rrgard  and  admiration  ent-rlained  liv  tlie 
living  for  departed  worth,  is  at  once  a  partial  dischar^.-  of  a  del)t  of  i^natiinde 
to  the  illustrious  dead,  and  an  incentive  to  the  honoralde  andiitiou  of  the  sur- 
vivors ;  therefore  it  is 

1,  Hcs'i/rn/,  That  we  decjily  deplore  this  alHietive  dispensation  of  Providence 
which  has  removed  from  us.  in  the  midst  of  his  n>efnlness,  and  in  the  fulness  of 
hisliune.  our  distini^uished  brother  Ibnry  Adams  Bnllard. 

•J.  U  xnlvi',1.  Thar  as  a, jurist  be  was  learned  and  profound  without  iie,l;intrv. 
and  as  a  schol.ir,  acc()m[)lished  ana  relined  without  ostentation  ;  and  has  lel't  on 
record  imperishable  memorials  of  a  superior  mind. 

;',.  Jt'fdlvcl,  That  with  hi.>  iiUeniom'se  with  his  Invtliren  of  the  Y,:\y  he  was 
courteous,  urbane,  and  strictly  bnnorable;  and 

4.  R'SiiIvkI^  That  towards  tlu'  youu'.^'-er  niendiers  of  the  profcs.sion  he  was 
from  the  g:cnerons  impulses  of  his  nature,  kiiul.  considerate,  and  cncolna;,^n■^ 

5.  licfdlvnL  That  the  T5ar  of  New  Orleans  deeply  deplore  the  death  of  ,ru(r>(e 
BulKard,  whofullillcd  well  and  wi.seiy  thedutiivs  of  .Indge  of  the  Supreme  Court  o| 
Louisiana,  .Secretary  of  State,  and  Representative  in  the  Con^srss  of  the 
United  States,  and  Professor  of  the  Roman  Law  in  the  University  of  Louisiana 


I 


8  IllSl'oKICAl-    C()M-i:('TI()\S    OK    LOUISIANA. 

(i.  li'f'ilci il,  'I'liMl  ill  liis  (lentil  A\('  lam.  tit  ilic  loss  ot'diic  iM'oiir  liriglitcst  or- 
iiiirii('ir>  ii|i'  st  .siliiiliir.s,  iilili'>t  iMwyiTs.  iiii'l  iiinst  uscCiil  citi/rns. 

7.  A'. «'//•"/,  'I'liiit  ill  (inliT  to  t  •stily  tii'ir  iirolouiiil  .s 'iisi'  of  liis  piiblii:  scr- 
vici's  ;iii(I  iiiivalc  vir  lus.  tlic  iiirinhcis  dt'tlic  iSar  (iC  New  DiKaiis  will  wear 
iirain'  oiitlic  left  arm  I'or  the  spari'  ol'lliiity  (la\s. 

s.  If.filvri!.  'I'liat  as  11  I'urtliir  tcsliimaiial  nl' tlicir  rcsiicct,  llic  Attonicy  (Gen- 
eral, iiiid  U.  S.  District  At  unicy  iTSiiectivcly  he  n'((iicsti'(l  to  iiri'stiit  a.  co)iy  of 
tliesi' rcsohitioiis  to  tin*  Suiiniiic  Court,  ainl  to  tlii'  U.  S.  District  and  Circuit 
Courts  ill  tills  city,  and  to  niovo  that  they  he  cutcrcilon  rcconl  on  tlicir  minutes. 

It.  11  .■■■lir-'/,  That  the  Sjcrctary  of  this  in'ctiui^  W  solicit. mI  to  transniil 
coincs  of  these  resolutions  to  the  family  of  the  deceased,  and  to  the  newspapers 
for  ]iul)lieation. 

10.  Ri-fnlvcil,  That  th(!  llejio-ter  of  tlu!  tU'cisioiis  of  the  Supreme  Court  be 
ro<juested  to  Insert  the  foregoinij  resolutiiuis  in  the  next  number  of  the  Louisi« 
ana  Annual  Jleports. 


I 
I 


t 


I 

I 


IIISKMUCAL  JOUKXAL 


HI"    TllK 


ESTAHLlSlfMEXT  OF  THE   FRENCH 


IV 


-i 

1 


L  ()  V  I  S  I  A  X  A . 


nv 


IJKNAllJ)     ])K     LA     IIAlll'K 


Ti;.\N~l,Mi;i)    l'i;().M    TIIK     FltKNCll. 


In  order  to  dciu-cciato  our  cliiiui  to  Louisiana  tlie  Siianianls  sliow 
tliit  Tuiico  lie  Leon  in  ir>l-^.  Vasiiuoz  d'AjIlon  in  I'rjO.  Pauiflle  do 

*  y\.  lie  la  llariii'.  a  Frfiicli  oilinT  df  (li>tiiiili.,n.  faiiir  tn  r-imi-iaiia  in  171S, 
to  M'ttli' a  cdloiiy  (.11  liril  liivir.  He  ivarlicil  tlic  jxiiiit  of  bis  ilr^l  inatidii  at 
the  i-icM'  d'  the  sain.'  year,  an  1  in  the  in.nitli  iif  .lanuary.  ITl'.i.  lie  Imilt  a  fort 
nrar  llir  ]iivsciit  town  ol' Xairhijo.-lirx  iVoin  wlicncc  ]„■  \v,.iit  to  cxiij,,]-,' tliu 
laovinoc  o|'l\.\;is.  Ai  tiir  villa-c  nl'XMts<).,s,  in  X.  lat.  :)  P  :;o'.  Ijr  Imilt  a  lort 
as  a  si'jn  nCtlH'  Jiii'i>ilictiun  ui'  I'linu'c  Al'tiT  cxiilurinir  ihr  r.iuntry  to  tin-  IJio 
Grande,  lie  rctni'ncil  to  Xrw  Orleans  in  1721.  to  report  hiniM'ir  to  P.ienvilk-. 
Ill  the  I'ollowiny  Au-ust  ]v  was  ordered  to  take  possession  of  the  eonnlrv  on 
the  Coioi'ado.  Tlie  loree  hi'  tool;  witli  him  was  too  liehh'  to  eU'eet  asettle- 
nu'iit  there  on  aeeount  o|'  the  hi.stility  oftli.'  Indians,  .'ind  h,'  was  oMi-ed  to 
return  to  Xew  Orleans  at  tlie  dose  of  tile  year.  In  IT.::  h.'  \.eni  t<,  1-' ranee,  and 
there  wrote  a  Journal  of  ihe  lirsi  estahlishnient  of  the  l"n neh  in  I.ouisiana. 
A  copy  of  this  valuahle  nianu-eiipt,  iVoui  wliicii  tliis  translation  is  made,  is 
dui.o.siled  in  the  lihrary  of  the  Ameriean  I'hilo-dpliieal  Soei,  ly  at  J'hiladeliihia, 
with  this  endorsement  : 

■■Journal  Histi.a-i(|ue  eoneernant  reiaMissemeiit  des  Fi'.iiii,Mis  a  la  Louisiaiie 
life  des  memoirs  de  .Mes-ieurs  d  li.ei'ville  vl  de  BieiiviH,.  eomniandans  pour 
le  Uoiau  dii  pMvs  et  sur  les  dee,,uvertes  et  rrehrr.-he-  de  .Al.  IJenard  de  la 
Ilariie  nonnne  au  Commandenant  de  ia  Uaye  St.  Ihrnai'd. 

•■I'ar.M    nKNAiii)  la:   i.\  Huii'i;.     Presented  to  the  A 


Sueiety  by  Wiuta.iM  D.uujv. 


nii'riian  I'ldlosoji 


diical 


i 


10 


iiisToiiirAi,  rf)i,Lr;>-Tio\j4  of  I.oI•I?<rA^.^. 


i>'  1 


1  ! 


N.'irvficz  ill  \'>-l'>.  ;m(l  Tli'rnfinuo  dc  Soto  in  I. "»:!'.).*  took  possession 
of  it  in  tlin  niiiiH'  <>{'  liis  Catholic  Miijcsty.  It  is  no  doiilit  trne  tlioy 
paid  it  a  Iiiisty  visit.  1nit  tlioy  noitlicr  »'stii1i]isli(Ml  posts,  pliintcd  colo- 
nii's.  nor  aci|nirril  riirlits  superior  to  the  Froncli.  wlio  woro  tin;  first 
to  nialvo  cxiiIoratioMs.  Imild  forts,  and  plant  oulunics  in  all  that  part 
of  Florida  at'tcrwards  callcil   jioui^iana. 

IJy  tlic  conmiMnd  of  Charles  tlio  Ninth.  Jean  Kihaut  built,  in 
l.")fi->.  the  fortress  of  Charlesfort.  at  tin;  mouth  of  the  river  C.diouitas, 
or  iSaint  l''iS]iiit.  to  tli(j  east  of  St.  Joseph's  15ay.  and  ststtled  a  eolony 
there,  llene  liaudonicre  aftorward.s  huilt  another  in  Pensacola  IJaj-, 
which  he  called  JMu-t  Carolin,  and  took  po.ssession  of  tiie  country  in 
the  name  of  Ids  King.  M.  do  La  Sallo  arrived  in  Canada  in  PwS, 
and  suhsccpiently  explored  the  Mississippi  river  to  its  mouth  t  He 
afterwards  returned  to  France  and  lifted  out  an  expedition,  hy  ord(n'  of 
theKinj.'.  to  make  further  discoveries  liy  tlietiulfni' .Mexico,  and  plant  a 
Colony  there.  IIo  end)arked  accordiuirly  in  I'Wl  for  the  Mississippi 
river,  hut  hy  sailin;.'  too  far  to  the  west,  he  missed  its  nioutli.  and  landed 
in  a  hay  whieji  he  called  St.  liOuis,  where  he  built  a  fort  and  establislied 
a  colony  on  the  banks  of  the  CJuailaloupc  river,  in  the  month  of 
February.  lf)S").  From  thence  ho  went  in  searcli  of  the  Mississippi 
river  by  land  a  .'second  time,  and  while  engaired  in  this  undertaking, 
lie  was  inhumaidy  murdered  by  one  of  his  compaiuons.  The  colony 
left  by  him  wei'c  in  part  killed  by  the  Indians,  and  the  remainder 
carried  oif  by  a  detacliment  of  Spaniards  frnm  the  new  kingdom  of 
Leon,  under  the  command  of  Dan  (Jregorio  Salinas  ]>aronas. 

On  the  -^Ith  September.  lOltS,  two  frigates,  Lc  Jiddinr.  of  thirty 
gun,s  and   two  liumlred  men,  commanded   by  M.  (VIborville  :|  and 


Lr  21(1  liii.  of  thirty  :.;'uns.  commanded  by  ^L  le   ( 


0111  to    ti 


le  S 


urirero, 


■wi 


til  two  store-ships,  were  fitted  out  by  order  of  the  Iviug.  and  sailed 
from  liochefort  to  |plant  a  c(doiiy  on  the  INFississippi.  On  the  tth 
December,  tluiy  arrived  at  Capo  Francois,  St.  Domingo,  where  they 
found  M.  le  3laripus  do  Chatoauiiiorant,  who  commanded  the  frigate 


*  An  accoiuit  nC  llii'^  exjicdition.  ti-aiislated  fri)tn  tlic  Piirtti'.''Ut'se,  is  lmbli^llell 
ill  tlie  secouil  viilinin'  oi'  (lie  Historical  C'lllcctinns  ol'  LouisiaiiM. 

tTlie  lir.'st  cx|ili)ratioii  ol'  this  river  was  iiiuilc  in  Ifij:!  liy  Fatiicr  I\rarqucttc 
and  tlie  Siciir  .lulict.  A  translation  of  Fathci'  Maniurtti's  iiitcrc>tin"j  jmu'iial 
will  lie  I'liund  |iriiiti'<l  in  iln'  sci'ond  VdlniiU!  of  the  Historical  Collections  of 
Louisiana,  [mlilishcil  in  l'iiilailcl]iliia.  IS-jO. 

I'  .'^icnr  Lciiiiiyiic  dllii^rvillc.  a  distiiiguislicil  naval  coniniandcr.  was  tlie  first 
Royal  Governor  of  r,i>ni.--iana.  lie  ivas  the  third  of  the  t'lcvcn  sons  of  Charles 
Li'nioync.  Baron  Lnn^iicil,  of  Canada,  all  of  whom  hchl  coiniuissioiis  in  the 
service  of  his  majesty,  viz. : — 


I 


i:- 1' Mii.isiiMRNT  OF  Tin;   rKi;\<ii   iv   i.nnsi.WA 


11 


I  i  ruler 
om  of 

thirty 
:J  and 
ira'CTO, 
siiilod 
10  Ith 
they 
'rigiito 

slied 

r(|iu'tte 
journal 
tioiis  of 

liL'  first 

niiarlos_ 

ill  tlio 


Jj'  Fi'hiriiis.  (if  fifty  guns,  to  whom  M.  (riliirvillo  ilclivcrcd  in- 
stnictiiiiis  fur  him  to  join  in  the  ex|ii'ditiiiu  to  tlie  Mississippi  river. 
At  this  port  they  took  on  hnanl  M.   de  (Irave.  a  famous  hueaneer 

1.  >:':iin-  C/fiH'S  f,( iiiinnir,  l]aroii  ilc  I,nii:;iiiil.^(r\r(1  in  CMiKula  a^  ('aptuiu 
of  Maiilii'  aliil  was  wnllliilnl  ili  the  attacl;  <>{'  III.'  I''.iiL;li--li  nii  (Jiirlirc  in  Iti'.H). 
lie  \va-  (  Tf  ii"i|  li>  Irtlri's  |iati'nt       lianiii  F-iiiii:ii''il," 

U.  S"iir  Jir/nis  Iriihunn  lir  Siml  HIliu  .  a  Caiitaili  of  .Mariiir,  \\a->  killfd 
ill  an  aitacl<  o.i  tlic  Miii;li>li  in  Carolina. 

;!.  S'lii,  l,'iih'ihii  (ll'j'.rfilli:,  til'.'  iiio>t  iliUNtrioiis  of  tlic  ln'oilicrs,  and 
(I'ovi'iiior  of  Louisiana. 

■I.  .SV'  .'•  /'■/"/  I,-  III  ell  lie  '!r  M'lri-'iur.  (.'aiiiain  of  .Marine  wlio  was  killed  in 
an  i'X|M'iliii,in  ai:aiii>t  ilie  Iroi|Mois. 

a.  Si'i.r  [y  iiiiiiini  i/i  S'  rii:  II II  ^i'r\ri\  iiihler  lii.s  lirotlier  d  lln'rville.  at  New      >,      A-/   j 


»    k 


•* 


Orlean-i.  and  died  iJovenior  of  lloehesn'r   17-il. 

i;.  ,s'.(.,   f,' iii.'inii:   Iii(  iirili'    i\n  olliecr  of  Marine,  was  killed   liy  tlie 

Iroiiniiis.  wiiu  >iii  I'oiiiided  and  liiiriit  tiie  hoiiM'  in  wliieli  lie  and  others  were 
stationed. 

7.  S  • 'I r  I,  iihiijiir  ih'   ('huhniiiiiiL,  was  an  ollicer  of  IMarine.  ainl  died  (io- 

Vernof  of  Civeline. 

s.  S^i  I' ■  Iji  iiiniiiir  ly Afsiu mi.  an  oHieer  in  the  Marine,  an(l  died  in  Si.  Do- 
mingo, "here  his  iiioilier  (1  Iberville  left  iiiin  on  at'coiint  of  siekness  in  17"1. 
'.'.  .l"''.,/'  L  Niiiini'  ,s'f'"C("''.  (Governor  of  I, oiiisjana.  and  clied  at  Diloxi.  1700. 

10.  S"  I'l-  !,■  i::i'llili   liii  iirill'  .  Ule^seeolid  UoVal  Kleliell  (;o\ei-no|-  ol'  Louisiana, 
served  his  eminlry  upwanls  of  forty  years,  and  died  in  I'aris   Mareli  7,  K'o. 

11.  Sfur.lini    Hiip/i.-i'i-  fy  i/iiiiiiii  i/i    C'KiJ'diij^uii,  captain  of  a  coiii|jany  uf 
Inlaniry.  and  w.is  killed  in  l^ouisiana. 

'I'hi'ie  ap|iears  to  have  lieeii   two  hrotliers  who  tool;  tlie  name  of  TJieiivillc, 
and  tuo  ot'  the  name  (if  Chateaiiinii'.     Tliere  were  also  t\vo  sisters,  one  of 


V 


name  of  L.hateaiiinie 

le    .s^iellf de    Xoyail     ,1111 


wliom  iii.nii'il  the  .s^i.'Uj'de  Xoyaii   .iiiil    the  other   the  .^ieiiTde  la  Ciiassii'^ne.      y  ^*JP 
both  distiiiLriiislie(l  oilir'ers,  and  rendered  eminent   serviees  to  their  country  in  -0  ^ 

(he  settlement  of  r-oiiisiana.     The  only  known  representative  of  this  illu.strioiis 
lainily.  is  the  li.iion  (Irani,  of  Loniiuie!    in  Lower  t'anada,  wlio  tliroui;h  the  I'c- 


liiaie  line  in 


hi'l'iled  the  b: 


I'roiii  the  time  of  J-a  Salle's  departure  fmni  !•' ranee  in  IHSL  w  ith  his  colony  for 
tlie  Mis^is-ippi  the  iealou--y  of  i'.imlaii  1  was  awakened  airainst  tin.'  extension 
of  the  l'"r''neli  dominion  in  .\oith  America.  'I'liey  ciinnvneed  lii>t  to  c.xcilo 
the  fro(|nois  a',zainst  the  Frcncli  seltleiiieiits  on  tlic  St.   Lawrence,  and  then  lo 


IV  an>l  .\i 


make  open  ileiiionstratioiis  a;;ainst  them  liy  sea   in  llii'lson  s  l!a 

In   li'i^-ii   .M.  d  Ibei'vilie  Was  sent   bv   .'NL    l).-non\ille.  (ioveriior  o|    Canada. 


to::;eilier  w 


ilii  his  brollii  r.  St,  Ilelenc  on  an  expedition  to  lliid 


ll:iv  under 


tlie  Command  of  .M,  de  Troyes,  In  li'i>>7  be  was  ap|ioiiitcd  CoNcnior  o|'  Hud- 
sons  15;iy.  iiiid  in  the  followiii;,'  year  he  captiiretl  some  Knulish  siiips.  In  lii'.tl, 
lie  captured  Fort  IJourbon.  where  he  lost  his  brotlier  Lemoync  Chateau^uc. 
He  al'terwards  distini,Mtishcd  hiniselt'  in  several   na\al  ciiira^cinents   with    the 


Kn.Ldisli,  ami  in  lCi'.i7  sailed  for  F 


The  Kiiii:  of  France  up  to  this  period 


bad   done    nothing'   to  coloni/e  Tjoiiisiaiia.     His  attention  was  now.    lio\\ever. 
turned  to   this  subject,  and  lie  appointed   M    d  lliervilie.  who  had  been  latelv 


made  a  Kni-lit  of  the  Order  of  St.  Louis  for  his  galla 
Bay.  to  conduct  a  colony  to  Louisiana. 


lit  conduct  ill  Hudson's 


12 


IltHTniurAI,    for, LECTIONS    OF    I.OJISI.WA. 


wlioliiid  suiiioycarH  before  surprised  and  pillaged  tlictnwn  di'  \'i  raCruz. 
Oil  tlie  •/'•J  1  tlu'V  I<.'ft  till!  Capo  to  rendezvous  at  h'i>u:(nir.  wlieif  tliey  ar- 
rived oil  tile  •-'."til.      Outlie  l.>t  of  .Fan..  liV.l'.i,  liie  licet  set  s.iil  aL'aiu, 


-iT, 


Olllllc'JIIll  S-|itrliilMT,  9%  lir  srt  s:lil  IVoiO'tI 


lyT" 


tl'SllIKl 


'iriH'iii'  wmi  r.'  IP  II  I'.'Mii's  iiiKi 
two  llUliill''''!  iMl'ilihls.  iircdiilpMiliril  liy  his  brol  lirr.-.  SiiiVollc  Mijil  l!i  ii^  illr.  to 
tal<i'  |nl^•<i'^>i(lll  1)1'  Ijuiii>i;iii;i  iiiiil  I'stabli^li  a  enlipiiy  on  tlie  liiiiiks  ci'  ilic  .Mi.s- 
si~si|iiii. 

Iiillir  t)  Lnnniii'^' iit'.T;inniii'y,  lii'.i'.i  lie  rraclinl  tlir  Cliiiinlrlciir  Nl.'^  .'Nplorcd 
till.'  cIniiiiu'I  liciwccii  Siiip  iimt  ('ill  l>liiiiiN  iiii'l  o:i  tin'  'JTlli  !■''  I'ni.ii'y.  lie 
set  (I'.lt  I'll 'III  Slii|i  InI.iikI  wlnvr  111'  liiel  liilrlril  tin-  cnluiii^t^  In  i  \; 'Imit  tin.' 
iiHMitli  III'  til.'  .Missis^i|i]ii  riviT  in  tu-o  Imrijcs  iln'  one  eiiiiiiiininlfil  li\'  liiiii>rir, 
ami  till'  (itliiT  by  IJimvilli'.  'rbri'c  ijays  brmiLrlit  tliciii  In  tlir  jiali/.i',  which 
tliry  ciiii'icil  nil  till'  si'C'iiiil  111'  .Maich.  li'i'.i'.i,  'i'lii-y  pi'iicccilcil  ii]i  ili.'  ri\i'r,  ami 
al'icr  smiic  iJays  >|iciit  in  c.\|ili)iiiii;-  tlic  country  ainl  holiliir.'  iiitcrcniii-M-  v\itli  tlio 
[mliaii  tribes  n-ai'  tlic  inuutli  of  the  K  '1  Ivivr  iribcrvillf  return  ■'!  \viili  liis 
]i.iriy  Ihvi'U'jIi  |ias<  .Mancliac  ainl  lai;cs  .Maiircpas  ainl  I'liiitch.irti'.iiii  to  Siiiii 
Islaml.  lie  al'iiTMaids  built  a  I'lrt  nl'  I'our  iiisiiuus  uiioii  the  iioi-th'ust  slinrc 
el'  I'ilcixi.  wlicrc  lie  cstalilislicil  a  colmiy.  ami  ^avc  the  eoiiiinaml  of  it  to  his 
brother  Saiivollc.  Durlnu:  the  I'ollow  iii:^  suiiiiiu'r  the  c<iloiiy  Mitliii  ^l  severely 
I'roiii  the  yellow  I'evcr.  which  carrieil  oil' its  cniuuiamler.  Iea\  iiiir  the  M'Utht'iil 
Uieiivirc  snl"  ciiiiunaiiiler  ami  superiiilciiileiit  of  the  rro\iiue.  I'.aily  in 
Deccnibei'  illbervillc  rciiiriicd  with  ii  lari;e  tleet  ami  aiMitiniial  m  ttlcrs. 
The   two  lirothcrs  met    in  (lee|)  luonniiii'j-.   iiiul  al'ter  niulual  cinbr.iees.   the 

liiavc   (1  Iberville    S  UlLlht    the    tniub    nl'  bis    bi'dther  Sauvolle    where  be  knelt  I'lir 

hours  ill  silent  i,Mie('.  On  the  ITtli  January.  1700.  he  set  out  froin  tiie  bay  of 
St.  Louis,  to  select  a  suitable  site  t'or  a  I'ort,  .M'ler  looking''  about  I'or  ^'  nie  time, 
he  si'leeteil  a  spot  oil  I'oveity  Poiiil  about  thiriy-ei:.:ht  miles  lielow  the  present 
City  I.I'  Xe^v  Orleans   where  he  built  a  t'ort  ami  located  a  siiiaii  colony. 

Fn  the  iiiontli  ol'  I'ebruary.  the  Veteran  Ciievalier  de  'I'onty  arrived  nu  tlie 
lower  .Mi->is^iiipi.  with  a  party  of  (.'anadian  l^'reiieh  iVoiii  the  llliimi-.  lb  I'omid 
d'lberv  ille  at  his  lu'wiy  erected  fort,  makiiii;-  ananL.''eiucnts  to  settle  colonies  on 
the  lower  .Mi-sissippi.  'J'hc  appearance  ofde 'I'liiity  his  knowled;j:e  ol'  t'le  Indian 
laiu;uaL:es  and  cu- 1  on  is.  and  his  aci|UaiiitMiiee  willi  the  Indian  ti  ilns  ..n  the  .Alis- 
sissippi  rendered  him  a  valuable  acipii'-iiion  to  the  new  colony.  With  his  aid, 
{licrcl'ore  he  ascended  the  river  and  e.Nplorcd  the  country  as  i'ar  up  a--  the  Xat- 
ehc/,,  and  loniied  a  iVielidly  alliance  with  this  tribe.  He  selected  the  lilull' on 
which  the  City  ol'  Xatchc/  is  now  built,  as  the  site  of  the  I'uturc  ca|iital  of  the 
province  and  ordered  a  fort  (Rosalie)  to  be  built,  whose  frowning'-  bastions  are 
still  to  be  seen  by  the  )iassiii;:-  traveller,  tlii'owiii;,^  their  dim  shadow-  owr  tiie 
I'ather  of  waters  at  tiie  hour  of  twiliirht. 

DIberville  and  ili>  Touty  aiiaiii  returned  to  liiloxi.  while  llieiiville  s.  t  out  w  itli 
M.  St.  Denvs  and  a  few  Canadians  and  Indians,  and  ascended  Red  Ri\er  as  far 
as  the  Valasec  xillaji^cs.  about  thirty  miles  above  the  iiresent  town  lU'  Xatchi- 
toches.  I'roin  wheiire  he  afterwards  returneil  to  Biloxi.  and  found  that  d  Iberville 
liad  sailed  for  I'rance  for  additional  supiilics.  In  171'-  war  was  ibelared  by 
Kn^daud  ai,Miiisl  I'rance  iiiid  Sjiain.  'i'he  KiiiL'  of  France  ordered  the  heud- 
((Uartcrs  of  the  (Governor  to  be  removed  to  .Mobile.  Dauphin  I-laml  was 
used  us  a  eonvenieiit  station  for  the   lleet,  and  for  many  years   it    was  an 


I 


\ 


■$ 


r:si' Aiti.isiiMi'.NT  oi'  'I'lir.   riii;\(ii   i\   muisi  \\.\. 


in 


I  riiCruz. 
r  tlii'v  ;ir- 

lil    MLi'MlIl. 
■livillc,  ti» 

I"  till'  Mis- 

i  I'Xpliircd 
iniiiry.  lio 
\i>|Mri>  tilt' 
iv  liiiiiM'ir, 
li/i'.  whifli 
I'ivci'.  ami 
M-  with  tlic) 

■  1  Willi  his 
in   til  Sliii) 

.■;ist    shnrc 

■  f  it  to  his 
il  MVci'cly 
!■  youthful 

I'.aily  in 

il    s^  ttlrrs. 

nMfrs.    the 

ic  kui'lt  for 

liiL'  liay  of 

liiu'  time, 

le  lifesellt 

ill  1"!  the 

II.   I'.'unil 

iihinics  (in 

'tlic  Imliaii 

■u  the  ,Mis- 

iili  his  iiiil, 

-  I  he  Nat- 
H'  Mutl'  ell 
•  ital  el'tllO 

I -lions  ai'o 

-  ovef  tiie 

et  out  with 

liver  as  far 
of  Xatehl- 
il  flicrville 

l.clareil  liy 
the  heail- 

Maud  was 
it    was  an 


i 


'^ 


ami  oil  ilie  •i'ltli  iirrivi'd  at  the  I-hiiiil  of  .St.  Itusii,  Here  they  fouiid 
tlie  S|i:iiilaiils  had  cstiihlishcil  themselves  fur  more  than  a  month  jiro- 
vioiisjv ,  ami  t'eariiif:  a  .sur|iris(>  from  tlie  I'reiieli,  tlie  Sji:nii>h  Coin- 
inamlaiit  of  this  jiort.  l>oii  Andre  de  la  l!iole.  iH»tilieil  M  d  Ilierville 
that  lie  e  iidil  Hot  piTinit  liim  to  eiiti'r  the  port,  in  coiisecjuenee  of 
\vliieli.  lie  was  eomiiLdled  to  continue  his  vnyaL'e  to  I)aMiiliin  Island, 
wiiere  lio  arrived  on  tlie  olst.  31.  ile  IJienviile.  tlieii  a  lieutenant, 
found  liere  a  larL'e  i|Uantity  of  hones  of  savai.'es.  who  had  heeii  killed 
hy  their  eiiemie.s,  from  wliitdi  cireum-stanco  it  took  tlio  name  of  3Ias- 
saere  l-land. 

( >u  the  I'ltli  of  ]'\d)ruary.  .'NI  d'lliorvillo  ancliored  off  the  pa?>s, 
hetwc'ii  Horn  anil  Ship  Island,  wliieli  he  named:  and  finding'  it 
diilieult  to  enter  tiiis  ehaniiel,  ho  sailed  four  leairiU'S  further  to  the 
west,  wh're  he  discovered  the  Cliaiideleur  Island.s.      He  aiuhoroJ 

IniiKM'taiit  jiort.  'I'he  wlioli'  coloi.y  as  yit  diil  not  tiiiniber  iihh  li  ■.\\.(i\\-. 
thirty  I'aiiiili.'S.  hrsiih's  soldiers.  The  cliinate  had  cut  oil'  many  o|'  the  lir.st 
i'inli:raiits  aiid  lamiiic  ami  Indian  hostility  iiow  liireateiied  llu'  r<iiiainder. 
IJut  (1  IImi  \il!e  was  indrratiirahle  in  his  e.\ertioiis  to  jiniteet  ami  provide  lor  the 
colony.  II  ■  had  by  his  di'taehineiits,  ])artially  exiilofccl  the  remotest  re-ions; 
till'  ehanncls  and  jia-ses  of  tin'  Mississi|)|ii ;  the  outlets  and  hayous  of  the 
Atfliafal.i\a  I'lai|iieniines.  La  I'oiU'elie,  and  Maiuhai'.  Aideil  hy  the  .lesuits 
and  the  Cdiadian  I'reneh.  the  i;reat  trihuiaries  of  the  Mivsissi|i]ii  liad  been  ex- 
plored and  niissidiiary  stations  had  been  establisheii  anion ■_:  the  Indian  tribes  of 
the  valley  of  the  -Mississipii).  while  the  Washita.  Va/oo,  and  Arkansas  liver; 
had  been  partly  rx]ilored.  Sickness,  in  the  meant  inie.  Innl  been  busy  with  the 
lolonisis,  and  .s^anvoll'.  tlie  lirother  of  iriberville,  had  fiiKri  a  \ietim  to  the 
yi  lIow  fe\ '  I-.  The  w;;r  which  had  broken  out  between  lar^daiid.  I'"i'ance.  and 
Spain  lel'Mbr  awhile  till' colony  unprotected ;  but  Louisiana  weak  as  she  was 
f_'avi'  eai'y  piocifs  of  that  i,'enevous  s]>irit  which  has  ever  ^ince  animated  her 
and  the  towns  of  Peiisacola  and  St.  Aiiiriisline,  tlien  in  the  hands  of  Spain, 
bcim,'  threaieiied  liy  the  English,  she  sent  both  men  and  amnnmition  to  theii' 
assistance. 

The  year  ITO:!  rolled  slowly  jiway.  and  d'Ibervilh'  was  not  iiermitteil  to  ro* 
tiirn.  lie  sent,  however,  his  broihef  Cliateaui;iie  with  suiipliesat  the  imminent 
risk  of  beiui;'  ca])tured  by  the  Knulisli,  who  at  that  time  occupied  most  ot'  the 
avemies  to  the  (Jiilf  of  Mexico.  In  17'U,  he  was  about  to  sail  for  the  fmiilh  lime 
to  carry  supplies  to  tliu  colonists^  when  he  was  taken  serioit-ly  ill  at  liochelle.  and 
was  detained  in  Franco.  Finally,  in  17'''i,  he  sailed  again  for  Louisinii:i  with  a 
lavi;e  Ih-et.  with  which  he  nieditati'd  an  attack  on  Charleston,  in  South  Carolina, 
lie  reacheil  St.  Domimjoin  safety,  and  took  on  board  a  rcinfoieement  of  men  tVoiii 
the  garrison  there.  Hut  as  he  was  about  to  set  sail  for  Charleston,  lie  was  attack- 
ed with  the  yellow  fever,  wliieh  luit  an  end  to  Ids  life  on  the  Otli  of  .Inly.  ITfW. 
Thus  perislied  the  bolil  and  jjerseverinj;  Ibuniler  of  the  province  of  Louisiana, 
a  martyr  to  the  glory  of  France,  as  Cavalier  de  la  Siiilu.  had  been  a  few  years 
before.  He  left  a  widow,  "  Daiue  Bethuue,"  and  four  cLildrcu  to  mourn  his  loss. 


jli'll 


^^Hi 


L 


ii 


IIIHTUIIICAI.    Ct)l,M;cTli>Xrf    Ol'    I.OLISI.WA. 


nhrcast  of  tliom  ami  Sliiji  Island,  iind  ordcri'il  tlic  cIkiiiiu'I  hotwocn 
Sliiji  ami  Cat  Islands  to  hr  sniindcd.  M.  dc  CliatcMiiimi-iut  unly  re- 
mained lure  !i  short  time,  and  al'tiTwards  rc'turm;d  \o  Ciiir  l-'rancois 
with  y\  dc  (Inivo.  without  takini^  any  furthor  part  in  the  i  xpi'ditiou. 
On  the  lltli  M,  d'lhorviUe  sent  a  iidiiccii  In  the  mainland,  north 
of  Ship  Island,  wlu^ro  they  disi-ovcri-d  a  bay  and  a  party  "f  Indians 
ill  caimcs.  wild  instantly  tied.  On  tho  I'^ith  they  (•aptnr<'d  a  woman, 
who.  Ii;ittcri'd  l>y  thidr  kind  trrntniiMit.  inTsnadrd  Iut  nation  to  ap- 
jiroai-h  tlicm.  Thi'y  wcro  the  l»ilo\is.  ul'tcr  whuni  the  li.iy  was  called. 
On  the  I  1th  .M.  d'l  herville  tmdc  four  oil  lio;ird  his  ship,  and  hd't  his 
brothel'  llieiiville  a  hosta;.'e  until  their  return.  On  the  siime  day 
fi^lity  I)  iyaii;ouhi  Indians,  who  wero  goini;  on  an  e.xpedition  to  li^dit 
the  Mcdiileans,  arrived  at  the  bay.  Tliey  inforiiu'd  us  that  tiiey  lived 
on  the  banks  uf  a  great  rivt'r  (tho  Mississippi)  to  the  we.>f 

On  the  ■■i'tth  .^I.  d'lbervilleand  BienviUe  eiul)arkod  in  two  feluccas, 
with  l''alher  Anatasc  and  thirty  men  each,  to  explore  the  mouths  of 
the  .^Ii.^^issippi  river.  On  the  '-id  ol'^lareli  they  entered  a  \i\v<^v  river, 
which  l-'atlier  Anastaso.  who  had  aeeompanied  .^l.  de  la  S;ille.  recogniz- 
ed as  the  3Iississippi  from  the  appearance  uf  its  turbid  wateis,  On 
the  /til.  having  advanced  forty  leagues  up  the  river,  they  perceived 
at  some  <li>taiice  three  caimes  lilled  with  Indians,  who  all  lied  except 
one  mall,  to  whom  they  ga^  e  some  presents,  and  learned  from  hiin 
that  tliev  lieloiofed  to  the  ]>avai!oula  nation.  They  met  several 
canoes  of  Indians  belonging  to  the  Ouacha  nation,  living  near  the 
fork  of  the  .Mississippi,  who  told  them  that  they  did  not  li\e  far  from 
the  Cliitimachas  nation,  (hi  the  1  ith  they  arrived  at  thi'  Hayagoula 
and  Monuoulaeha  nations,  numbering  about  eight  hundred  warriors 
They  found  hero  several  cloth  (doaks.  wdiich  had  been  given  them  by 
M.  de  la  Salle.  These  nations  received  them  very  kindly,  and  gave 
tlieni  some  chickens  to  eat.  which  they  said  had  come  from  a. --hip  that 
had  been  wrecked  upon  the  coast  about  four  years  before.  31.  d'Iber- 
villc  was  still  uncertain  whether  it  was  the  Mississii)]ii.  having 
met  with  no  Indians  which  had  been  described  by  M.  de  la  Sallo, 
until  it  was  told  him  that  the  Tangipaos  had  been  destroyed  by 
the  (^linipissas,  and  that  they  had  taken  the  name  of  the  Mon- 
goulacl'.as.  It  was  here,  whi'e  looking  for  Father  Anatase's  breviary, 
they  found  several  prayer  books  in  an  Indian  basket,  in  which  were 
written  tin-  names  of  several  Canadians  who  had  accompanied  the  late 
31.  de  la  Salle  down  the  river  ;  together  with  a  letter  addressed  to  him 
by  Chevalier  de  Tonty,  informing  him  '•  that  having  learned  of  his  de- 
parture from  France  to  form  a  settlement  on  this  river,  ho  had 
descended  it  as  far  as  the  sea  with  twenty  Canadians  and  thirty 


.'II 


4 
■»' 


M 


I 
1 


i 


rHT.\iit.MiiMi:\  !•  (»!•  Tin;   iRr.vcii   in   r.niisivxA. 


15 


i 


i 


('linoiuiiiii>i."  li'iiM  tlic  lu'iirlibiirliiiuil  nf  tliu  ( )ii,iliar!u'.  'I'liis  discovery 
now  ffliivfil  tliriii  tVuiu  all  ddiilits  of  tlir  rivtr  tlnv  w>  re  in.  iiml  tlicy 
ii«c'i'rtaiiii'(l  (III-  inniilh  ut'  the  Missis.-ippi  to  Itc  in  iiImmii  twi'Uty  iiiiio 
(IcLTi'i's  imrtli  latitiitli!.  A  cnat  of  mail  wax  al>o  fmiiiil  licro,  wliicli 
till'  liiiliaiis  sai'l  liail  oiii-i-  lie'lnii^'cd  to  I'lTilinainl  dc  Soto.  M. 
(I  lliiT\  illi'  iiia'if  llicM'  Imllaii.s  souk,'  prusciit'^.  ainl  llirii  tnol<  a.  ;,'uiilo 
to  (•iiniluit  him  tn  tlif  iininnas.  On  the  l.'^t  li  ln' passfil  |l,ituii-K()ui;o, 
ii,  '',ir  from  a  stream  wliirli  ni.aila'il  tlie  Imuinlary  "f  tlif  '  uiitiiig 
ground  Ii''t\vicii  llic  llmima.s  and  l>aya,i:oulas.  As  lio  advanct-'il  uj) 
tlio  ri\i'r.  Ii'' lanic  tu  a  |.oint  alinut  twidvi;  Ira^iruts  roiiml.  wlicro  ln! 
onliTcd  ilir  trcis  to  lir  Irllcd.  and  cro.-srd  over  In  t  he  hiIilt  sidr  with 
Iiis  jiciMuui'.  'riic  Mississijiiii  afterwards  iiiailo  a  |iassau'o  tlirouj.di  lliis 
placo.  and  ever  sincu  it  lias  ^'cmi;  liy  tlio  iiamu'  (d'  I'uinf  ('miptr.  On 
tlic  'iMli  111'  anivid  at  a  liLMid  of  the  river  callfil  ••l)et(inra  la  Croi.v," 
where  the  I  loumns  have  a  |ioi'tap'.  'I'lie  lIioiiiia>  eniidiieted  him  to 
their  viihiL'e.  aluMit  tun  and  a  half  h  a:;iies  inland,  whei'e  he  was  Well 
rei-eived  and  snioki'd  the  ealiunet  with  tlieni.  This  viUaire  nuinliered 
aliiMit  three  hundred  and  lifty  warriors,  (»ii  tlii'  '.lA  M.  d'lliervillo 
took  lave  (if  till'  IJiiuma-i.  after  nialdn;/  tlu'  chiefs  some  presents.  On 
the  '.ilth  he  arrived  at  a  very  narmw  and  shallow  sireani  wliieh  led  to 
the  lakes.  Here  he  nnlered  iM  de  IJienviilo  to  doeciid  thi'  rivir  witli 
the  ])iseayans  to  Shi[i  l>land.  while  ho  [lassed  tliroiiLrh  the  lakes  to 
thedulf  On  the  •^.')th  .^I.  de  Bienville  rejiaired  to  the  vitlage.s  of 
the  IJayaji'oulas  and  Mon.iroulaehas  to  ]iriieiire  ]irovi>iiiiis.  afirr  whieh 
he  jiroeeedi'il  on  his  vnyaire.  On  the  'j'.ith  he  hd't  the  ri\-er.  and  mi  the 
oLst  he  arrived  at  Slii[i  Island,  where  he  found  M.  d  1  In  rville.  who  had 
passed  through  the  lakes,  to  whieh  he  gave  the  names  nf  .'Nlanrepas 
and  iVuitehartrain.  On  the  i'^tli  April  .^1.  d'l  hn  \  ille  set  out  to 
vhsit  a  liay  almut  nine  leagues  i'rom  Sliip  Jslaiid.  tu  which  he  gave  th,. 
name  of  St.  linuis.  On  linding  the  water  very  shallow  tiiere.  he  eon. 
eluded  to  fix  his  settlement  at  JJiloxi.  Here  he  Imilt  a  fort  with  four 
liastions.  whieh  he  mounted  with  twelve  cannons,  and  gave  the  ooiu- 
mand  of  it  to  his  brothers  Sauvolle  and  Bienville:  and  having  manned 
it  with  a  fiiree  of  thirty  live  men.  lu^  set  sail  for  T'lain-e  on  th(>  1th 
]May,  On  the -idth  M.  lie  IJienville  cmharkrd  in  a  feliicci  with  a 
IJayagoula  chief  and  twelve  Canadians,  to  visit  the  Colapissa  nation, 
who  lived  on  the  right  bank  of  lake  Poiitehartrain,  about  eight 
leagues  iidand. 

On  the  "i'id  he  arriv^'d  at  their  landing:  and  on  the  'Jild  he  re- 
paired to  the  Colapissa  village,  whieh  he  found  to  contain  upwards  of 
^hree  hundroil  warriors,  all  armed  and  waiting  to  attack  him.  lie 
kept  at  a  distance,  and  sent  the  IJayagouhi  ehief  to  hold  a  parley  with 


10 


IllSIOItli  Al.    •  (iI.t.K.fTloVH    nl     l,(iri."*l,\\A. 


/■       ' 


tlioiii,  ntnl  t(»  ji»rirf;iiii  tin'ir  ulijcct.  lie  It'.'inicil  IVnin  tlicm  timt  two 
days  h(  luri'.  twn  l'',ii;,'Ii.>liiiii'ii,  witli  Iwd  ImiitL  1  ('liiiat'liiiH,  litnl  .xiir- 
jiri.^rJ  tlicir  villiiL'c.  juiil  ciirrifil  olV  a  ;.'riiit  iiiiiulu  r  "t"  flicir  iiu'ii, 
niitl  tlit-y  Ii'hI  Mipii'i-cil  tlii'iii  to  lio  (if  tilt!  ^aiMc  iKition  Tlic  nnya- 
pmila  cliiff  liaviii;.'  uiidcci'ivcil  tliciii.  ads  i-i' 1  tluni  t"  C  rin  an  aiLitito. 
Till'}'  ai'i'()rJlii;.'ly  laid  dnwii  flicir  arm-*  ainl  ,  ■••livoJ  >[  d.  JJionvilli: 
pcaci'alily  :  al'lrr  wMidi  In-  returned  tn  l»iliixi,  u  'i'To  lie  arrived  "H 
tlif  'i'Mh.  On  ilir  ',i||i  June.  M.  dc  niiiivillc  sut  on*  with  ti  fidin-ca 
and  caiiiii'  in  vi«it  I'asca^'nula  river.  I'lMir  lc'aj.'iie.s  (last  of  IJilcxl.  At 
its  (■ntrariee  lie  fniind  a  liar  witli  six  Feet  of  water.  At  ei;.'lit  lea^'iii'S 
U]i  tlie  river  lie  disenvered  tlie  viUaj^e-  nf  the  l'a>eaL'<tiila.  Hiluxi.  ami 
Miiektnlieys.  l-'roin  wlieiiee  lie  went  tu  Mnliile.  and  liy  laud  to  I'eu- 
(sacola;  and  on  tie'    '.',{\\  he  returned  tu  Mildxi. 

On  tlie  l>t  i<\'  .lidy.  two  liark  eaimes  1'rniM  the  Illinnis  arrived  at 
IJiloxi,  briii^'iiiL'  M  .M  do  Martiirny  and  !),ivii)ii,  Missiunarnvi,  win) 
had  learned  I'mni  the  iiuinnas  that  there  were  .wdnie  Fren  di  settle, 
lueiits  on  the  sea-shnru.  On  the  Nth  these  inissiunaries  de|iarted 
from  l>ih>xi  to  taK'e  |iiissessiiin  <>['  the  mi.^-inn  h(iii.»e  ul'  the  Tunieas 
on  the  ^'a/llll  river.  On  the  Sth  Anunst  upwards  of  si'veu  hundred 
I^Iohile  and  Tniiiea  Indians  arrival  at  tin'  I'urt.  ()n  the  "Jlth  M  du 
]}ienvillo  set  out  in  two  hark  canoes  and  live  men.  with  jirovisiuns  fur 
tliroe  weeks  tu  nialce  discoveries.  He  ]ia>scil  thron,i,di  lake's  .^lalu•e(las 
and  .i*onteliaitrain.  and  on  the  •^Jtli  arrived  at  the  ]iurta,L'c  uf 
3Ian(diae.  ( )n  the  )ld  Seiiteniher  lie  reaehed  the  l)aui;.'<iula  iiatiun. 
On  the  ^th  he  set  out  with  a  irnide  to  eondni't  him  to  the  (  Miacha  iiatiuii, 
on  the  ]ia  Foiii'ehe.  On  the '.tth  he  arrived  at  their  vilhiLTe.  twclvo 
leagues  down  the  l,a  l-'uiirelie.  and  uiie  c|Uarter  of  a  leapiu;  inland. 
Ill'  found  them  t'crucioiis  and  diilioidt  of  access,  and  he  was  ohliii'ed 
to  retreat  t(.  Iii^  eamjeS;  whieh  jirevented  him  from  deseeiidiiiL'  the 
lia  Fourehe  to  the  sea.  He  aecordin^dy  returned  to  the  Mississijipi 
on  the  hitli.  On  the  Pith  he  discovered  in  one  of  the  hcnds  of  the 
Mississippi.  tweiity-eiL'lit  leaicues  from  the  sea,  an  Knglish  ship  of 
sixteen  guns,  euimnanded  liy  (.'aptain  IJarr.  wdiose  pur[)ose  was  to 
examine  the  river  and  afterwards  return  to  Carolina,  to  fit  out  an 
expedition  to  e^talilish  a  settlement  here. 

On  board  of  this  vessel  was  M.  Secon,  a  Freindi  engineer,  who 
gave  secretly  to  M.  Bienville  a  itetition  addressed  to  the  King,  pro- 
posing to  his  niaje.oty  that  if  he  would  grant  religious  liberty  to  the 
colony,  he  would  settle  more  than  four  hundred  families  on  the  ^lis- 


sissippi. 


Tl 


lis  petition  w 


as  forwarded  to  the  minister  31.   de  Pont- 


1 


chartruln,  who  rejdied  that  the  King  would  not  suffer  heretics  to  go 


M 


r.ti\\\u.ii*UMr.sT  <»r   iiii:  nir\<  ii   i\   i,«>n-«i\v\. 


r 


I 


from  Ills  kiii^iliiiii  f'nr  the  |iir|in-i'  nl'  I'lrmiii);.'  ii  n  |iiil>lli'.  M.  di: 
IliciiN  illi'  inrnniM  il  (';i|it;ilii  r>;iri'  tli.it  tliis  was  iiut  tlic  Mi..,si>^ij,|,i 
rivir.  Itiil  a  flijnndt mi;  nt'  ('iinmlii.  wliidi  In-  hail  taktii  |iiissi'h- 
'•iiiii  111'  ill  tliu  nuiiii'  lit"  liN  Kin;,';  tliat  it  ww'*  i'artlnr  to  tin-  west; 
\vlii'ri'ii|Miii   tlu!    |'!iij:lisli   caiitaiii   .set  sni!    in   m:ii'<'Ii    nf    it        At'tiT 

llii'     i|rp;i|'ll|l t'    llir     Kli;.'li-ll     \('>.'il.     y\      ill'     l»i>li\il|i'      ill  -.I'llldlil 

tn  tlir  iiMiiitli  ami  t'oiiinl  rliviii  iVrt  nf  watrr  mi  tin'  Idiv  lie 
tliiii  r''a  'I'liilril  it  til  till'  l!;i\a;:iiiila  ami  M'mu"ularlia  vilIa;,'i'S, 
wliiTc  in'  ariivnl  Mil  till'  l>t  ( )('tiilirr.  tdi  tin'  H'lh  lir  li'l't  tlirsi; 
villilj.'"'-.  and  aii'ivrd  at  tlu'  |iiirta;ri'  nt'  llir  TaiiL'i|i:ilin>.  aiid  mi  tlio 
lii'Xt  day  lit'  ri'ii-<sud  till'  lakes  IU'd  irturiird  t'l  I'mt  l»ilii\i  <  )n 
tlio  )tli  l>i'i'iiiilii'r,  a  ••aliito  w,,  ■  lind  at  tim  {'•>\\.  amimiiifiiig 
till'  arrival  ut'  MM.  d'lln'rvillf  and  (.  >iirL'ri'i'.  in  tin'  sliiii.s 
KriiiiiiiiiH'  111"  lift)',  and   till.!   (iii'Diidi'   of  fmi  ,  .irmis,    witii   many 

official's  and  passc'ii^lcrM.  aiaoit;,'  wlimii  wire  MM  I'l'.'iu'.  J.i^mirdy, 
ilautniiii-mi.    JSiiisbriaiit.   Siint    Pi'iiis.   and    si\ty    <  lians,  ^   M. 

K'   Siiriu'  also  caiiio  iia-ornim*   in    tlir   (Jirnmli'        lit;   li  i        "[uircj    | 
Ci'li'liiity  liy  Ids  travels  in  ('.inuda:   and  was  imw  sent  mi  tli-  |,irt  of 
^I.   li  lliiilli'i'.  I''ariiirr  (!i'in'r;il.  tu  iiiaK'i'  a   si'ttli'iiiciit  nn  tlii-  Mi>/|?-     ' 
si|i|'i.  and  tu  work  smin!  intiii"*   tliiM'i'    wliirli   lu'  liad    disrii\  irid  .-  uiic 
yiars  lnl'ipi'i!.     v 

M  d'HitTvillo  was  infm'im'd  ol'  tin'  nttiiniit  of  tin;  l'liiuli>li  to 
lind  till'  Mississi|ijii,  and  lie  rcMilvi'd  to  nial<r  ..  "ttU'iiiriit  mi  its  lianks. 
III!  ai  rmdiiiirly  si.'t  sail  in  twu  .diallnps.  with  lili  >  nun  and  arrivrd 
in  tlic  river  mi  tin;  I'ltli  .lannary.  lilMl.  lie  li;id  jUi  vimisly  -I'lit  M. 
do  IJii'iivilli'  to  till!  l»aya,L;iiiilas  t.)  |irnrnro  irnidi'S,  and  f"  M'K'ft  a 
idaei!  almvi;  imiiKlatinn.  'Iln'y  fmidui-trd  liiiii  t'l  a  ridgr  of  liigli 
land,  at  a  distaiu'O  of  about  oiirlitrin  leagues  frmn  tlie  sea.  l-'uur 
days  at'tiT.  .^l  iT  1  licrville  ariivi'd  tliere  and  emnnienei  d  luiildiiiL' a 
fort.  Oiitliu  Itltli  Feliniary.  M.  de  Tmity  deseended  tlir  .^l  -i'^.siiijd 
frmn  Canada  in  a  iiiruirue.  tu  diseuver  wlietlier  any  .-ittlenieni  had 
been  made.  '  On  the  I'.Mh  MM  d  llierville  and  IJieiiville.  with  M.  i 
J)Liiru(*  and  ten  marines,  arrivrd  at  the  village  of  the  J>ayagmilas.  On 
the  saint;  day,  M  le  Sueur,  wlm  had  M't  mil  on  his  jmiriiey  to  the 
Scimi.K  nation.'!!,  also  arrived  there.  -,  <>ii  the  '2t')th  MM.  dllierville  * 
and  Uieiiville  returned  to  the  Hayagoulas.  and  on  the  1st  IMareh  they 
set  out  for  the  Jloumas.  for  tlie]iiir|pii<euf  restoring  jieaee  between  these 
two  natiiiM.s.  On  the  5tli  Mar'.'h  they  reaehed  the  llounias.  and  con- 
cluded : 


peace 


icy 


there  on  the   lltli.  where  they  found  M.  do  St.  Couie,  a  luissiouary, 
who  had  lately  arrived  there  from  Canada. 


I  :! 


18 


HISTORICAL    C()I.I,FX'TIO\3    Ol"    LOUISIANA. 


Hi 


iii: 


H 


.  li 


;! 


Tlie  Great  Chief,  or  Sun.  iiiarclieil  before  tlie  French,  and  was  fol- 
lowed )iy  six  hundred  men.  They  found  him  ])ulite.  Lut  |iu,ssL's.-ing 
dcsjiotie  jiiiwer  over  his  nation.  "When  any  of  the  Suns  died,  -everal 
of  the  natives  aave  tlicm.stdve.s  up  to  death,  for  the  purpose  <>['  serving 
him  in  the  otiier  world.  Aecording  to  tlieir  aeeount  the  nation  num- 
bered nineteen  hundred  Sun.s.  and  upwards  of  two  liundnd  tliousand 
people.  They  kept  up  a  constant  fire  in  tJicir  temple,  whieh  wa.s 
attended  by  a  priest,  who  oil'd'cd  in  il  the  lirst  fruits  of  tlie  chase. 
After  death  they  belit'Ved  the  souls  of  their  warriors  went  to  re- 
side in  the  land  of  the  bullalo.  and  those  who  n.id  not  taken  any 
scalps,  went  to  reside  in  the  eiumti'y  of  (he  lak<'S,  where  li\ed  only  alli- 
gators and  iish.  On  the  l-Jth  3I.M.  d'lberville  and  Bienville  set  out 
from  the  Natchez,  and  arrived  at  the  village  of  the  Tensas.  Tins  nation 
was  composed  (jf  about  two  hundred  and  lifty  men.  'i'heir  belief  and 
ceremonies  were  like  those  of  tin;  Natelu'/,  On  the  liith  their 
temnle  was  struck  by  liii'litniui:  and  consumed.  J)uring  tiie  conila- 
gration.  the  wonuii  th.rew  in  their  eliildren  to  appease  the  (Jreat 
Spirit,  wlio  they  saiil  was  angry  with  them. 

On  the  -i-Jd  M.  de  iJienville  set  out  with  31.  de  Saint  Denys*  and 
iwonty  Canadians  and  Indians,  to  visit  the  Yatase  nation,  on  Ited 
lliver.  and  watch  the  Spaniards,  and  on  the  same  day,  .AI.  d'lberviUe 
set  out  fir  t!u'  lleet.  On  the  iTth  he  was  informed  that  Don  Andre  do 
lalviole.  (iovernor  of  Peiisacola.  had  entered  the  harbor  of  Ship  l.-land, 
with  a  s!ii[i  of  twenty-four  guns,  one  tender,  and  a  .shallop,  with  the 
design  of  l)reaking  uj)  theM''rench  colony,  lie  was  met  by  some  of 
the  King's  vessels  and  compelled  to  retreat  ;  not  however  without 
first  makiniT  a  lU'otest.  and  sending'  it  to  31.  de  Suruere.  deelariiii' 
tliat  Louisiana  was  a  part  of  3Ie.\ieo.  and  belonged  to  his  (.'atholic 
3Iajesty. 

On  the  loth  April.  31.  d'lberville  reached  his  ship,  and  was  in- 
formed that  the  S[ianish  (iovernor.  on  leaving  Sliip  Island.  lof.t  his 
.ship  on  one  of  the  Chandeleur  Islands,  where  a  part  of  his  crew 
saved  tliemselvi'S.  and  were  taken  to  Pensaeola.  C)n  the  l>th  31.  do 
IJicnville  arrived  at  IJilo.xi.  C)nthev!>th  lu' .set  out  for  the  Ouaeliita 
village,  situated  on  the  river  of  that  name  whieh  eniptie-  into  Ued 


I 
I 


*  'J'liN  (li>tiiiL,'ni,-lie'l  ollicer  eamt'  to  Louisiana  ii:  ceniiiany  wiili  M    Ir  .s;ueur, 

the  ge()l«i;;i>t  W  ho  hail  lieell  sent  to  e.\aiiiilie  some  mines  on  tile  \|  i>sissi[ipi 
and  St.  Pelers's  livers,  whieh  hail  been  deseiiheil  hy  Dupiy  anil  Ileiiiieiiiii  iu 
IG^^O.  In  171 1  M.  St.  Denys  was  iliNjiatelieil  u|i  i{iil  River  to  e.xplore  the  country, 
anil  oli-.rrve  the  inoveniiiits  ol'  the  Sjianiartls.  lie  found  tliey  had  enisled  the 
Rio  (Jrande.  and  estalihshed  a  fort  called  tlie  Pi-i.-iiltn  of  St.  .lolni  the  Hiifilist; 
.and  tlicy  now  for  the  lirst  time  claimed  jurisdiction  over  the  country,  from  the 


i 
■I 


i:,>TAiu,isiiMr.\T   111'  Tin:   iri'vcii   in    i.nrisr  \.\  a. 


10 


1 
■3 


-rrviiig 


llivcr.  -evci':il  l'^;i;iU(\'*  frmn  its  iiMnitli.  Ifc  \v;i<  infrniu'il  liy  tlii-;  ii;i- 
:in;i.  tli:\t  six  l('M,::'iU'^  to  tilt'  imrtli-t'iot  then'  w;is  a  ('iniriii>  \il!;iLri\ 
r'nit-i-itiii'.'  lit"  ali'Mit  line  liuinlri'il  inrii.  <  );i  tin'  ilitfh  lie  cru-si'il  lie. I 
lii\i  r.  a'iil  i-'iiitiimcd  liis  JDunicy  nn  foot.  On  tli;-  same  day  lu'  met 
■.vitli  six  Natrliit'iclics  Indians,  wliu  wen;  t:il<inL;'  salt  to  t!ic  ('miroiH. 
Oil  the  'i  fli  ^[:ly.  ho  arrived  at  the  ( >inehita.  villure.  wliere  he  ]ir'ietired 
«oine  ]'!'ii\  isioiis.  and  a  ;i'iiide  to  (■.iiidii<-t,  him  to  the  \'atas-(,'  nation. 
On  till'  I -Ui  he  [.assed  two  small  natimis  called  tin^  Xadas<a  and 
Xacas-i':  iiiid  nii  the  -iOth  he  arrived  at  the  Vatasse  nation,  whieli 
'•onsi-ted  ,<['  aliout  two  hniidi'ed  men.  ilrre  he  nhtained  some  infor- 
mation r"-[iii'tini.'  the  di-^tanee  to  t'le  Xad:;'-o  and  (.'ad.adoijiiiou  vil- 
la^u'es.  A~  till!  time  L'iveii  him  liy  M.  d'll;  rNllle  had  now  e\|iireil. 
h.e  emh. irked  on  the  o:;d  in  four  {liro^'ues  and  I'escended  lied  River. 
')ii  the  i''i!li  hi)  visited  one  of  the  vilhiu'es  of  the  Adayes.  <  >n  the 
■.i>'tli  he  -t..|'|l^■d  at  the'  vi!la,Li;es  nf  the  I  )ah-hanois.  a.hoi'.t  three  leau'iies 
from  Natejiitorhes.  where  he  pure,'!  asi  d  seiine  corn.  A  few  day^  after 
he  entered  the  Mis,-issi|iiii.  and  arrived  at  the  llayatrouhi  laition, 
where  he  learned  that  they  had  cntiiely  destroyed  their  iiei^iihhors, 
the  ^Ioni:;oida''has,  He  then  proceeded  into  t!ie  sea  to  meet  his 
hrother  <l'llierville.  to  whom  lie  L'ave  an  aeenunt  of  his  ex|ieditioii. 
On  the  '-'-th  .May.  31.  d  Iberville  set  sail  for  |-"ranee,  and  nii  the 
sann;  d:iy  M.  de  l>ien\ille  took  eommand  of  tin,'  fort  on  the  Mis-is- 
sijijii.  <  Ml  the  ■i'.'tli  he  disjiatehed  31.  ite  Saint  l>eii!S  to  exphire  the 
eonntry  in  the  lied  lliver,  and  to  wateii  the  Sp;i.iiards.  On 
the  ;!'ith  3!:iy.  the  I'lnilammee  (d'  twenty-six  li'iihs.  eonimaniled  liy 
^l.  de  la  li'iiide.  arrived  at  t*liip  Island,  .\mniiu''  the  ]iasseii:iei-,s  was 
M.  SaLian.  a  traveller  from  ('anada.  who  had  ]ire-;'nted  a  eiemoir 
to  the  mini>t'r.  .M.  de  Tontehartrain.  as.-iirin,u'  him  that  he  had 
•■ravelled  all  over  the  .^^lssissi^l])i.  and  had  fonnd  mines  of  iiold  on 
itslian;;-:  .and  that  the  Indian.-  had  worked  them.  The  minister, 
[iiittinu.'  I'l'Ui  in  his  .statements,  granted  to  31.  ^^at:';!!!  some  privileges, 


Sueur, 
i---i.-~sipiii 

lejiili  ill 
eeuutry, 

vsed  the 
iKiplist; 
iVeui  the 


'M 


Ri'i  GiMa-ie  [■>  i;  d  liiver.  I'eit  the  iM-eneli,  iiiop.'  eir'etuallv  to  linid  the 
eouiitry.  i.^I.ilili-lie.l  a  |mi>i  lai  tlie  .Saliiiie,  ainl  aiml'ier  alinut  lljirly  mile^  west 
■  if  the  [i)  'si.ait  Iowa  (if  NaiMy.l.iehi.'s,  wiiieli  was  keiit  up  I'ur  iiiuny  y(  ai--.  J)in'- 
'a^-  llie  lir.st  tiiirty  years  al'ler  t!ie  seitlei;  .ail  of  Lniiisiiip.a.  tiie  Fivm  i,  (mvia-- 
'Mi'-s  ki'i.t  a  \\;tlelil'iil  l.i.ik  upon  Ihe'  .Spaijianls,  and  .--eat  >e\enil  delaeliiueiits  to 

Irive  tl.ela  eilt  of  Texas. 

In   ITl'i  he   wa.s  sent   as  an  eiuaiy  to  iie^'otiate  a  I'luuniereia!  tre.ity  \vith 

.Me-xieii;  mil  :e:;iiu  in  171S.  as  th"  a^'eiit  of  M.  t'mzat  with  articles  of  mcr- 
eliauili^e  to  exclKiiiire  with  the  .Mexicans  Inr  sucli  articles  as  woaM  be  ^l^r|'lll  in 
Loui>iaiia.  But  the  Viceroy  heiiii;  now  d(  ad.  ho  was  .sei/.ed  as  a  simiij'jlei' and 
-jiy.  and  .sent  in   ehaius   to   .Mc.vico,    tVuni   uhence  laj   afterwards    iiajiiu   hia 

•scape,  iiad  retui'iiei]  to  Mobile  in  .^iiril,  ITl'J. 


I 


! 


I'l 


M 


20 


iirsTfiUicAi.  fo[.T,r.(  Ti()\s  or  i.ot'isi.wa. 


aiul  f.i'i.lcnMl  yi.  (Ic  Sauvollo  tn  ."^"I'lily  liiin  with  twciity-tour  jiirogue.? 
aii'l  Idle  luiinlred  ('aii.'idiaiis.  tn  ar('(iui|iaiiy  liiin  to  tlic  3Iis>oui'i. 

(»!i  tliu  ■ill]  Au.iriist.  M.  (Ic  S'aiivollc  (licil  at  Hilnxi.  and  AI,  <lc 
Bk'iivilli!  was  luft  sulo  I'oniinaiiiK'i'  "I'  tln'  cnloiiy.' 

Oil  the  l()t!i  S!')itcnili(.'r.  a  ]i.m".v  ff  ("liaettis  arrivi'il  at  l!'l'i\i  to 
(lojiiainl  (if  tliL'  l-'i-i'iicli  snuu;  ti''in|is  tn  a>sist  tlicni  tn  liLiIit  the 
Chicachas.  'I'ho  Chacta-'  natimi  cmitaiiiiMl  fnrty  \  illaircs.  aiiilnvcr  five 
thousiaml  warriors.  On  thiv^'tli  OftuliiT.  twenty  ]\Fip))i leans  ariived  at 
Fort  IJihi.xi  This  nation  was  sitiiatiil  ahuut  one  hunilrnl  ami  firty 
leagues  n]i  that  river,  iiiii.1  containiil  .-I'liiiit  (our  lunMli'eil  n:en.  Or. 
tlie  h^th  i)eceiiihiT.  a  shaUn]!  arrivei]  tVum  I'eii-aenla  with  tlie  iie\\> 
that  y\yi  il'IlierviUe  aiel  Seriiiaiy  liad  arrived  thire  with  tlie  Kiiig'.s 
ships,  the  I't'iioinnice'  ef  (ifty  ,l:uiis.  and  tlie  i'almier  cf  I'Dity-four  giin.s. 
This  news  s]iread  jny  in  the  giirris'in.  as  it  had  thi'ii  Im  en  liviiiL'' 
on  corn   for  more  tlian  t'.iree  months.      It   had   lost  hy  si'-knc>s  up- 

*  M.  lie  Dieliville  vliei'ii'ileil  in  tlic  ('i>n'lli;ni(l  <>['  ili''  eelciiiy  nl  the  ilire  of 
tWrliry.  He  W  US  el'  i.lie  111'  the  i!lll^t|■illli-:  so:i'i  (if  t'iiiirlrs  LrliKiVi.r  IJicinille. 
wi.ii  >cttl!'(|  ill  ("aiiiiila  ill  lii(i):  all  (if  wip'Ui  ilidl  in  tiie  s-iviiT  ni'  tl;(  \y  cmiiti'v. 

'I'l.e  v-.iiiy  ii(iiiiiiii,-~!iiitii.ii  (if  31.  lie  l!iiii\ilK'  \vas  markcil  hy  ju  uy  ifalmisic.s 
aii'l  v']ijiii>itiiiiis.  ceiniii'iii  to  ahno'-t  .-ill  lu-w  siMJeniriits.  The  !ni-;iT.il>l.'  faetiiiu 
i>f  T.,i  S^illf,  the  (,\)iinuissary  dl'  tlir  ('rewn  :iiiil  ih''  Curate  de  la  A'ciiie  jiU'^hed 
theif  ii,!i  'l'-iu's  with  sn  iiiuch  slice 'ss.  thit  Ih'-y  liiiiilly  caii^i'l  him  li'  tu'  i-.'inovcil 
(Vi'iii  I'llii'i'  ill  17"7.  M.  de  la  Miiys  wa--  aponiiitid  in  his  .vfcad.  I'lit  died  of 
yelliiu  f.\rr  liel'nro  \\r  reached  Louisiana.  _M.  de  liieiixillc  was  unu-  ei.iiliiiiiod 
ill  iillic'-.  Ih-  eiuhr.iced  cv.ry  oiijierdiiiiiy  tn  cmiciliate  the  iiaiiv,.'  nil"-^  as  lie 
exiil"i\il  the  hays  a,ii>i  rivers  upon  the  coa-(,  and  lo  attacii  tin  in  !■>  I'.i'  French 
int'ii-t.  The  Sjianish  (ioveiiior  of  i'cii>aiMla.  failini:  to  i  x|"  !  (';■■  rreiieh  liy 
fofcv'.  ( iiiitiniied  to  reiiioiistrate  ai;aiiist  llicir  seltlcnicut--  in  Loui'-':!;ia.  The 
Eii::li>h  cxiiedilioi!  to  Leni-iana.  eoininaiidcd  hy  ("apiain  DaiT.  (--eiiti)!;!  hy  Dr. 
Coxe.  in  \  irtiiu  of  a  yranl  fi'om  the  1aii;li>li  iroveninient.  of  the  iiroviiiee  of 
Caroliiia.  i  haviiii;-  de]!arte(l.  left  the  eoimlry  once  more  free  from  the  a])i)ri.dieii- 
h'lou  ef  any  aiinoya.uee  except  from  the  S|raiiiaiil>. 

It.  was  !).licved  in  France  thai  rjoni.Mana  iiics.nted  a  rich  lieM  forciiteriirise 
aiMl  >pc-!ilatioii,  and  a.  :;rant.  willi  exclusive  iiiivili'<re.^.  was  ohtaiiicd  hy  M. 
Cro/.at  tor  lil'teeii  years.  He  exjiectcil  to  derive  Lireal  iirotlt  I'roin  ininiii'.;-  ojie- 
ration>  and  the  fur  trade,  as  well  as  from  tratfie' with  thi.'  ,'^panisli  sctMi.iueiiti 
in  ^lexieoaiul  the  West  Indies. 

In  171-  he  appointed  M.  la  Clothe  Cadi  h;e.  (eiwrnor:  and  31.  de  Bieiivillo, 
.Lieutenant  (loveriinr.  in  1711  he  sent  31.  de  St.  Heiiy^  lo  foiin  a  si  tllcmeiit  at 
Xatehitoches.  to  exiilore  the  cotiiitry  to  the  Rio  (Jraiide.  and  ohscrve  whether 
the  Spani.ir(ls  had  advanced  across  that  ri\cr  into  Louisiana.  la  tlii'  following: 
year  3[.  St.  Oeiiys  negotiated  a  commercial  treaty  with  the  Viceroy  of  Mexico, 
and  estahlishe  i  I'rieiidly  relations  helween  the  French  of  Lmiisiaiia  and  the 
:spa  ii  lis.'ttlemeiits  on  the  Rio  Grande.  31.  la  3Iotlie,  the  iiartncr  of  31.  Crozat, 
h  i\  leg  tl'.tid.  3L  de  Bienville  assumed  once'  nmre  tlio  reins  of  frovernment. 


i 


St 


t;srAiii,i.<ii.Mi:\T   uk  tih;   i"i!r:\cii   i\   kotisiava. 


•21 


x:n\\]>  of  .>i.Nty  meu.  leaving  o\A\  oiu!  Iiuiulrcil  and  lil'ty  persons  in  the 
colony. 

>I,  <\i.'  nienvillc  I'L'Coivoil  oriln's  IfV  lli',!  i-lialinji  to  ovaouatc  l^iloxi, 
ami    reuiove   to    ^[obile;  rivcT.      On   tlie  .jlii    .Januarv.    liCl,   M.  Je 


5 
« 


III  !7  hi  lir  cwiiilnctfil  rtn  ixj;.'i!i-i.>ii  :iL';iiiisi  tlic  N';itil  >  •;  huliaiis  ;•  nil  after 
liriMiiii'j;-  tlicni  til  tiTiii^.  lie  liiiislii'il  ilic  r.ni  (■■  Rnsali.',"  i  whidi  li.ul  li-'  n  mm- 
ni<iiri-il  l.y  liis  liiMtlicr  iHliri'xillf.  ^ixl'TU  yiMvs  liflorr.  In  1717.  tlii-T  ships 
hL'li'i;:.MiiL''  til  M  Ci'uzat  iirriNcil.  with  ihrrc  rnnipaiii  -<  ol'  inraaliy  ainl  !irt\-  co- 
lunists.  ami  .M.  ih' 1  K|iiiuiry.  thr  i:'U  (.'.ivij-jinr.  Uv  hroii^htM.  lU'  IJimvillo 
tho  ilfciirali";;  1)1' the  f'i-ii>s  nl' Si  I.-iiis  ami  a  myal  jii'tinl.  I'nticfilii.u  i'l  him 
Iiv  iiiraii  t' ;;!i!'('  ii\  siicraLrr  \]"Vn  \>\avi\  itt  tlir  cm;!--!  ot'  r.niiisian.i  whicli 
lie  (Iciiiaiiih'il  of  .\[.  ri'iijiiary  in  \:ii|i.  in  lu'  crri  t<"l  in  his  fii\'iir  into  a  imhlo  lief. 
In  till' Mi'ar,  time.  M.  frnzat  I'ailin.;-  v>  rcah'zc  llie  ;:i\'at  pmliis  he  liail  rdieil 
up. Ill  in  lii.-  tViAj  uiiji  till-  Jn.lian.-  ami  tlie  '''panianis,  aH'l  tlie  cdliitiN-  l;a\ing 
biMUiiht  liiiij  into  ilchi  upwanls  of  VSj  dki)  livns.  Uc  iK-tiMnjiiird  luahamluu  tlio 
whiile  si-h"n.!>'.  ami  aeenrtliii'^'ly  j.n  tiiiuia.'il  tin'  ICin:;  to  i\  \..!;c  his  cliarliT  m-  to 
permit  l.iini  to -iirrrnilcr  i'  td  !;■■•  Ci-.iw  u.  'J'lie  Kin::  e.ii,;p;itMl  wiili  ,hi>  re.|Uest, 
aii'l  aeeeiit..'!  tlio  srrn'mliT  of  ili^  eharter  in  .\iiLjMi--t.   17J". 

St)  sdon  ■!•  hf.il  he  surremh.'n'il  his  riiart.T.  hnwrvrr.  tlaiii  another  company 
'.vas  f..riii  .1  un^hr  tlir  i,.iim'  of  ih.'  W.  stirii  Company,  i-.ainocted  witli  l.:nv's 
ilJank  of  Frane.'.  ami  sliarin.,^  iis  pri\  ilri^cs.  'J'he  eharcor  coiifrrriMl  upon  this 
■conijiany  hail  niueh  nioreexicnsivi  pin\i>rsaml  privilrH-estlian  were  .crrantcd  to  .M. 
•Ci-ozat.  in  171'-^  ihrie  of  tlio  conipaiiy'--  sliips  an'i\T.l  in  liir  port  of  .Moiii'.  .  wiih 
tlini'  foii.'pi.'iii.'N  of  ii:faiiii-y  ami  si.My-nine  eo|oni-ts.   lirinuin.'-   to  ,M.  ilo  liien- 

■^'tll  ■  'I'"  !• iiis'iou  of  (.oviTiior  of  thr  proviiiee.     ][•■  now  resolved  to  remove 

Mie  hraii-iiuartcrs  iVoni  the  stovilo  iv-ioir;  of  J^iloxi^  Aloluli',  and  St.  Loiii^  hav. 
to  the  iiiorr  f-rtili'  eonniry  of  ih  ■  .Ai  i.>,i^,- ipoi  rivci',  In  \  irw  of  this  ol,j,i-t.  ho 
sel'ctrd  a  .>!'■■  foi- ii  town,  v.hieii  is  now  oreupiv.';  Iiy  lie'  :',\->t  liiunieipaiitv  of 
clie  present  eity  of  Xow  ()r'r;,ns.  !n  l!,o  ilumh  lini;'.  the  .Spaniards  had  ipiielly 
.idvanee.l  from  .Mexico  to  the  oast  si'le  of  iho  Riof.lrande.  M.  dc  IlioiiviJlo 
watelieil  wivii  a  Ji-alous  eye  tlieir  ema'u.iehiiieni.- :  liiii  -neii  was  the  feel.leness 
of  his  foree.  tliat  it  wts  not  iiniil  she  v.  inter  of  17)'.i--Jii  lie  was  enal.led  toehrek 
their  ad^j.iee  i.nio  llio  country  by  di:-pateiiin,;  .M,  de  la  i/arjie  to  hniid  a  tori  at 
IVatcijiio.d^e's. 

Daily  etqieriuieuts  hail  sImiv.-ii  io  M.  de  IJienville  tl,;;t  the  iVrtih'  .-oi',  of  the 
3rissis>ip|,i  as  w.dl  a-;  t lie  climate,  were  wi'll  a i!  'pied  !,■  I'le  cult ivai ion  of  sn-ar, 
iMttui!  tell, iceo,  and  rice  ;  Iiuf  it  was  sou:;  di.-.,-,,vered  t!::;!  /■'.nroiican  coiistitu- 
cions  Were  le:!  adapted  to  the  burniii-Mins  o!'  !.(iai,-iana.  for  tiicy  sickei.-eil  and 
dieil.  The  lirsi  pla.niatioiis  ..i  any  exieiii  wei-e  i!i,  lefore  coinmcnced  with 
iie^roes,  inipiiried  into  Louisiana  from  (Guinea,  and  for  ' .  veral  years  t'a'  iiiipor- 
taiion  ot  ne;;roes  wa,-;  erne  ol'  tiij  lucr  proHtalile  i;;on..[io;ies  of  the  ■■  AVe-teni 
Coiiiiiaiiy." 

In  17r.»  the  proviuee  iietanie  invol\eil  in  hos'iliiies  v,;th  the  Span.iards  in 
eonse,pua:ee  of  the  war  hetweeii  France  ami  Spain.  'J'lm  .scttlcinent  of  Loui- 
siana jiresented  a  e<intinual  scene  of  military  ilisplay  and  hostile  prepaiatioii. 
^Jov.  lie  iiieiiville  twice  reduced  the  town  of  reiisacola.  and  sent  detaciimetits 
ro]i.'v\cni  i.lic  Spai.,iai,J.s  .(i-oiu  nmkiiii;-  i.uroaijs  into  njijie)'  Louislan;,,  and  the 


22 


III.ST.)I!IC.\I,    eol.I.r.C  T1<>N>    ill'    I.dl-I.Sl  \\A. 


.r:i 


I    :i 


Ml 
i  i 

i!! 


il 


■I 


i  1  11 1 1 


IJicnullo  tdiik  up  liis  iii;ii'(-li  fur  Mciliilu  river,  k'uviiiglmt  twenty  irien 
uihIlt  tlie  coimiiMiiil  of  M.  ile  Inii.-liriaut  to  iii;iii  the  iurt  At 
Dauphin  I.slaiul,   31.    lU:   Uleuville  had  an    interview  with  MM.  ik 

couiitvy  liordcriii'.,'  on  tiic  Rio  (iiMiiile,  Peiicr  lieiii;;-  ivNtiii-i  (i  ;it  lii>t.  (.migrant.'-- 
bejj'aii  t'l  ani\e  in  ^v<\it  niiinlier.s  iVniii  Fr.uiee  iiiiil  <r-riii:iiiy. 

til  17--.  .M.  'le  (Jii'liville  I'cliiDVt'il  liis  liril(l-i|ll:irtcr.'i  tii  \rW  Ol  Iriins.      Alxilll 

(111'  sMiui'  tiiii!'  a  siilrit  nrj.-ilini-i  c]i-^ati>f,'ii-tiMii  \mi\  :i|,|p>'in'i'il  iiiiKiHL;  II, r  lii(li:iii- 
cnst  i>r  the  Missisvii>|ii.  wliieli  snoii  riin'iicil  iiitu  lidstilitics  ;i;rMiii-'l  the  iMilmiist.'^, 
mill  tlicy  wiTi'  tliri'iit.'ii.'il  with  ('.■^teriniiiiitiiiu.  Tlic  lort.>f  (il  St.  Pi'ler  on  iIm 
I'azoii.  ami  rvo>aiir.  o!i  llie  .Mi^.^l.^^i|l|li.  wen-  attarl;ril,  ami  ^o  cniiiiilite  was 
the  nia.^>acrr.  that  lull  li-iV  of  llie  eihimists  ri'achcil  l\rw  Or'naiis  to  biMr  tin 
nu.'laia'l.uly  iie\\s  to  t!;e  (ioVel'llor. 

[!i  ih.'  autiiiiiri  o|'  17'Ji'i  the  (ei\-i'riiini'iit  111'  Loiii^iaiin  pa-M  il  mil  of" the  li.'iiul^ 

of  "\r.   liieliville.      Ih'  \\;i>  Sllliefsecleil  hy  M.  i'erief.  le;  ('olilIil.'niiiailt-GelHi'aJ    (it 

the  rreviiiee  nml  .M.  liieliville  retin'il  to  Fraiiee  to  recruit  lii'^  liealtii.  'J'he 
preparation  tor  iiriKi>-\itiiiu'  the  X.itehex  war  eii;;aL''eil  n  liri.'e  sli.ire  of  \i 
Periel's  aitelitioli  iiif  .M'N'eiai  years,  iiiilil  thi.s  \\\]\  iiatioli  was  eiilirely  .^uliiliieii. 
But  it  .Ml  involved  tl;.'  ■  \\'e.-t>'|-n  Coiniiany'  in  an  eiioi-niiui  ■  ih  lit.  a;iil  fojlowin;' 
so  elosely  iipoii  tlie  lailiire  o,  L.'iw's  linaneial  sehenies.  liiat  thi'\  ]"  Jiiioncil  tin. 
Kill'/  to  >.r,i-reii(lei'  tlieir  eliarii'i  to  till'  Crown,  wliiei'  was  aei'e]it''i|  in  1  '-Vl. 

In  17-It  the  ICini;-  reaiipoiiitril   .M.    Uiiiixille    (i'o\-irnoi'  ami    ('oiiiiiia;iihini- 
General  of  f.oTiisiaiia.     F.arly  in  autiinin  he  arriveil  ;.t  New  Orleans  aini  enterei'i 

ll|i(ili  the  iluties  of  his  olMee.  Hr  still  felt  a  tliii'st  i'oi-  militaiy  fanie,  and  eovel- 
C(l  the  honor  ol'  hniiiMin^'  the  ChieUa-aw  (iHli.nis.  \v1jo  had  idiordi  T;  the  Xal- 
C'liez  an  asylnta  from  the  xiUl-i  ai;ee  of  the  French. 

He  ininii'diately  oi'u'ani/ 'li  an  armv  to  niandi  a:;.'iiiis|-  Ih"  ri)iclc:isa'>v  nati'i!.. 
In  the  spriiiiroi'  17:l<'i  he  ariixed  in  their  country  and  alraek'd  tlieii-  >' run  :,^d  mid- 
He  was  reinilsed  with  consideiahle  loss:  and.  lindiii":  liiins.H'  siinoiinded  hy  a 
hrave  and  jiowerfiil  iieojile,  and  witliout  any  lio|i,s  of  heiiiL.''  aMeto  snlidiii 
them,  he  retnrned  (o  \e\v  Oilcans  on  ihe  ;!lst  oi'  .^iay  nmriilii'd  with  i'hi-  ri  • 
.stilt  of  Ills  carnpaiu:!!.  In  the  lie^dniiinir  of  the  year  ]7-"7  ^i.  liieliville  pro- 
posed  to  lead  MiK/ther  expedition  a;;ainst  llie  riiieka'-aws  hy  \^ay  of  ilie  Chich'- 
as.'iw  Bhill's,  which  ri.'ei\(d  the  s.iiictioii  ol'  the  French  l^Ii!lis|el•.  'I'lic  sjiviiii 
of  17-!'.i  was  li.xed  on  for  the  contemplated  invasion.  All  thini;s  heiiii;-  ready, 
tlic  main  party  left  Xew  Orleans  in  a  lie*  t  oi'  lio,(t>,  and  -lowly  i/icved  no  the 
.stroiiL' eiinent  of  the  .Mis-issippi  iii/tll  the  la-t  of.lnne.  when  il.ey  n  aeh-'d  Fori 
St.  F'rancis. 

He  crossed  (A'er  to  Fort  As^niiiption.  which  \vas  liiiill  near  the  moutli  ol' 
Wolf  River,  jiiid  remained  there  until  the  i'ollowin;;-  ."March,  when  he  liiaiched 
into  the  (^hicUasaw  country.  'I'iie  Indians  imnieiiialely  sued  I'or  [leaec.  and 
taking;  advanta:,'e  of  their  al.irm.  M.  Ilieii'.ille  entered  info  a  treaty  with  theiii. 
and  feturneil  to  Xew  Oi  'ea!!s.  This  campaiuii  close  I  his  miiiiaiy  careev  in  Louis- 
iana. He  retn>'ned  to  Fi.'ince.  nnder  a  cloud  ot'eensiire  from  his  (ioxermneiit  al'tei 
liaviii'j  faithfully  served  Ids  conntry  for  more  than  forty  Vv'ars.  diiriiii;  whieji  time 
the  Wealth  .•ind  popnlilioii  of  the  lu-ovinee  liad  continned  to  tlo'arisli  and  inereasi; 
under  his  paternal  •joveriinunt.  He  died  in  Paris  on  tlie  7lh  3Iarcli.  17'.'T.  auO. 
was  hufied  with  iii>.liui  v  houois  iu  the  cemeterv  of  .Montuuu't.ie. 


4 


1 


i 


F.sTAni.isiiMrxT  or  Tin;  FiiKxrii   r\  Louisiana. 


23 


IlilUtll     of 

!iiiiii-hci; 

ll'c.    llilll 

ill  I  tluTii, 
in  I.'>iii>- 

;it  ;il'ti.T 
lii'-]i  time 

:i('lVili-i; 


HcriiTiiv  :ui(l  ('liiitoiui.L'uc'.*  wlin  IkuI  arrived  tlnTr  with  a  (Irtaclnnent 
of  sailors  ami  Wdrkmcii.  to  ImiM  a  maLM/iiU!  for  tlic  r('L'r]ition  of  tlie 
iTooils  aii'l  ]irovisioii,s  wliii'li  had  lu'cu  hroiiglit  fruiu  KraiK'c  On  the 
liith  31.  do  liioiiville  comiiioiicfd  a  sottleiiu'iit  on  the  Moliile  river, 
ahoiit  iML-'iitt'eii  haii'iies  frcim  the  sea.  On  the  lOtli  >I.  le  Sueur 
returned  from  his  expedition  to  the  Suiou.x.  with  two  liuiulrcJ  thou- 
sand |i(Minds  wei,L'ht  of  copper  ore. 

The  following  is  an  extract  taken  from  his  Journal : — 
••  [faving  arrived  in  the  eolony  in  Di-eeniber.  Ui'i'J,  with  thirty 
workmen,  he  set  out  for  the  Taneirois  in  -luni!.  IJOO.  He  stopped 
at  the  mouth  of  the  3Iissouri  river,  and  from  then(.'>>  proceeiled  to 
the  Illinois  river,  where  he  was  joim.'il  liy  three  Canadian  travellers, 
who  hrouuht  him  a  letter  from  Father  .Marest,  a  Jesuit  from  the 
mi-sion  house  of '  LTnimaeulee  Coneeiitiou  de  la  Sainte  \'ierge  aux 
Illinois.' 

'•  At.  twenty-two  lcn,irues  ahovo  the  Illinois,  he  passed  a  small  river, 
wh'cli  he  named  the  IJutlalo  ;  and  on  '.'oinir  nine  leairui'.s  further 
he  met  a  party  of  Canadians  descendinir  the  .Mi>sissi]i]ii.  returning 
to  the  Illinois.  On  the  oOtli  July,  he  met  seventeen  Seioux  in  seven 
canoes.  ^'oin<^  to  aven;.;o  the  death  of  three  Sei(Uix  by  the  Illinois, 
one  of  whom  had  been  burnt,  and  the  other  two  killed  at  'I'aniai'ois.  a 
few  days  before  his  arrival  at  this  village.  He  promised  the  Chief 
of  the  Illinois  to  paeify  the  Seioux  if  tiiey  should  come  to  nnike  war 
on  him,  lie  presented  to  tin;  Chief  of  the  party  some  merchandise 
to  imluce  him  to  return  to  his  nation,  lie  told  him  that  the  iving 
of  France  did  not  wish  them  to  make  war.  and  if  he  would  delist  ho 
.should  be  supplied  with  every  thing  necessary.  The  Chief  aecepteJ 
the  presents,  ami  ]n-omised  to  oliey  the  King. 

Imuui  the  :U)th  July  to  the  -.'."th  August.  M.  le  Sueur  travelled 
fit'  two  leagues  to  a  .-tream.  which  he  called  3IineHiver;  to  the 
ri  it  of  which,  seven  leagues  inland,  is  a  lead  mine.  This  river  is 
only  navigable  for  boats  from  Jamniry  to  June.  I'rom  the  -i.'ith  to 
the  "-iTth.  he  passed  several  small  streams,  ami  noticed  several  lead 
mines.  I'rom  the  'llth  to  the  oOth,  he  travelled  eleven  leagues,  and 
met  iive  Canadians,  one  of  wlnun  was  dangerously  woumled  in  the 
head.  They  were  almost  nakeil.  .,nd  without  any  ammunition. 
They  said  that  they  came  from  the  Seioux.  and  were  going  ti^  Tama- 
rois ;  and  iit  forty  leagues  above  they  were  uiet  by  a  party  of  Fuans, 
Sai^uis,  Ouiagamis,  and  Poutaonatamis.  who  were  going  to  make  war 

*  The  Bi-otlicrs  of  JLM.  de  Bienville  ami  criberville,  wljo  afterwiuds  died  in 
Loui.'-iaiia. 


24 


HISTORICAL    COI.I.F.CTIi»\S    or    Lfil'ISIANA. 


on  tlio  Scimix.  who  Iiad  cruelly  heat  niul  robboil  them.  Tlioy  aftcr- 
warils  !•(  sulvoJ  t(j  join  our  party. 

••  ()ii  tlio  1st  Sciitcinlii'r.  lie  jinssod  tlie  Ouisconsin  river.*  wliicli  i.s 
about  liiiU'  a  league  wide  at  it.s  nioutli.  Uii  a.sceiidinL'  this  river 
about  torty-(ive  leagues,  ho  found  a  portage  of  more  tlian  a  mile  in 
length,  cviiisistinu'  in  jiart  of  marshy  ground,  from  whieh  a  little 
stream  tnok  its  rise  and  llowed  into  the  Puan  bay.  inhabited  Ity 
a  great  number  of  Indian  tribes,  who  trade  in  furs  to  Canada. 
From  the  ist  to  the  i'th  September,  he  travelled  fourteen  league.^, 
and  ]ia-.-ed  a  river  which  came  from  the  northeast,  called  the  (^hiin- 
capous.  after  a  tribe  of  Indians  wlm  had  once  lived  on  its  banks. 
From  the  "ith  to  the  Uth.  he  made  ten  leagues  and  a  half  and 
passed  the  Caehec  river.  On  tlu!  .sunc  day  he  observed  some  eanoes 
filled  with  Indians  descending  the  river.  The  live  Oanadians  recog- 
nized them  to  be  tlmse  who  had  rolibed  them.  Ife  placed  sentinels 
in  the  woods  to  guard  against  a  surprise,  and  when  they  got  within 
speaking  distance,  he  told  them  that  if  they  advanced  any  farther  he 
would  iire  upon  them. 

'•  A  little  while  after  four  of  the  Chiefs  advanced  in  a  canoe,  and 
a.skcd  if  they  had  forgotten  that  they  were  brothers,  and  why  they 
were  alarmed. 

'•  jNl.  le  iSueur  replied  that  after  what  they  had  done  to  the  five 
Frenchmen  who  Avere  present,  they  had  a  right  to  distrust  them. 
Nevertheless,  for  the  sake  of  trade,  he  wished  to  be  at  peace  with  all 
nations,  and  would  not  punish  them  for  the  injuries  they  had  done. 
That  the  King,  his  master,  wished  all  his  subjects  to  navigate  the 
river  without  being  insulted.  They  replied  that  they  had  been 
attacked  by  the  Scioux  and  lost  all  their  baggage;  and  to  take  pity 
on  them  by  giving  them  some  powder,  so  that  they  might  be  able  to 
return  to  their  village. 

"  31.  de  Sueur  ordered  some  powder  to  be  given  them.  On  the 
same  day  he  travelled  three  leagues,  and  passed  a  little  river  from 
the  AVest  and  another  from  the  Hast,  which  the  Indians  called  Red 
liiver.  and  whieh  is  always  navigable. 

"  I'lum  the  10th  to  the  iltli,  jM.  de  Sueur  travelled  seventeen 
leagues  and  a  half,  passed  the  river  liaisin,  and  also  on  the  same 


*  It  was  t.y  tliis  river  that  [NT.  le  Siieiir  I'er  tlie  first  time  I'litereil  the  Missis- 
sip]ii  river  in  liis:;,  tu  visit  tlie  iiMtimiv  <•('  the  Si'ioux.  amon;:;  wIkiih  he  resided 
for  ui)\\i)rils  ol' si'veii  ye.irs.  It  wnv  jdso  hy  this  river  that  Fatiiei'  .M:ir(iuette 
and  the  .Sieur  .Toliet  entered  the  Mississipiii  (iVom  the  Hay  of  I'liaiis}  to  ex- 
plore it  tt   its  mouth,  in  lG7o. 


ESTABMSIIMKN'T    01'    THE    FKRNCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


25 


riioy  after- 


wliicli  is 


tins  nvor 

■n 

1  a  iiiil(!  in 

t 

ell  a  little 

I't 

lal.itcil  by 

()    Canada. 

'11    IcMUMlC^, 

tliL'  (^Miiu- 

■^ 

its  banks. 

half,   and 

\ 

ome  canoes 

ians  recog- 

l   sentinel.-'. 

got  witliiu 

1  farther  lie 

# 

canoe,  and 

-  « 

d  why  tliey 

to  the  five 

ru.st  tlieni. 

ec  with  all 

hail  done. 

.> 

avigate  the 

had   been 

% 

0  take  pity 

]} 

be  able  to 

i-*" 

1.     On  the 

i 

river  from 

« 

•alh'd  lied 

1 

seventeen 

the  s;amc 

tlu'  'Missis- 

-^. 

hi'   resided 

■   M;iniuette 

uuis)  to  cx- 

-  :'^- 

dav  a  great  river  coming  from  the  North  called  the  I?on-Seconr.^.  on 
ai'coiint  of  the  great  nuiiibi'r  of  bnfl'alo,  deer,  bear.s  and  roelmckg 
found  there  Tliree  leagues  from  the  banks  of  this  river  is  a  lead 
niiiu'.  and  at  seven  leagues  above,  on  the  same  siile.  he  passed  ano- 
ther river,  in  the  iieigliliorhood  of  which  he  discovered  a  co]iper  mine, 
from  which  he  to(di  sixty  pounds  of  ore  in  a  former  voyage:  but  to 
make  it  of  any  value,  a  peace  must  first  be  made  between  the  Scioux 
and  the  Oiitagamis.  At  a  league  and  adialf  further  to  the  North- 
West  is  a  lake,  si.v  leagues  long  and  more  tlian  a  hjagtic  in  width, 
called  Lake  I'epin.  It  is  bounded  on  tiie  West  by  a  eliain  of  moun- 
tains, on  the  Kast  by  a  prairie,  on  tlie  North-West  by  a  second  prai- 
rie, imt  far  frmn  whii  h  is  a  (diain  of  mnuntains,  two  hundred  feet 
high,  and  more  than  a  half  league  in  length,  in  which  are  several 
caves,  where  tlie  bears  retire  in  v/iiiter.  Some  of  them  are  forty  feet 
deep  and  about  four  or  five  feet  high,  the  entrance  to  which  is  very 
narrow,  and  filled  with  salt  petre.  It  is  dangerous,  however,  to 
enter  them,  on  account  of  the  rattle-snakes,  whose  bite  is  very 
poisonous. 

••  At  the  distance  of  seven  and  adialf  leagues.  ]\r.  le  Sueur  passed 
another  river,  called  lIiambouxate-C)nontal»a.  which  signifies  lioches- 
I'lates  lliver.  On  the  loth  he  passed  a  small  river,  and  saw  several 
canoes  descending,  filled  with  Indians.  He  heard  them  make  a  noi.so 
similar  to  that  just  bef)ro  they  arc  going  to  fall  upon  their  enemy; 
and.  having  placed  his  men  behind  somi'  trees,  he  ordered  them  not 
to  fire  until  the  word  of  command  was  given.  The  chief  of  the  party, 
after  making  some  observations,  advanced  with  the  calumet,  (which 
is  a  sign  of  [leace  among  the  Indians.)  and  said  that,  not  having  seen 
before  any  Frenchmen  navigating  the  jMississippi  in  boats  like  theirs, 
they  took  them  to  ije  English,  and  raised  the  w;ir-cry. 

••  >r.  le  SuiMir  t(dd  them  that  the  King  of  France,  of  whom  thev 
had  heard  so  much  in  Canada,  had  sent  him  to  settle  in  the  country, 
and  he  wished  all  the  nations  who  inhabited  it,  as  well  as  those  un- 
der his  protection,  to  live  in  peace. 

••  On  the  IGth  he  passed  a  large  river  to  the  East,  which  was  named 
St.  Croix,  after  a  Frenchman  who  was  shijiwrecked  there.  It  comes 
from  the  North  North-West.  Ascending  it  four  leagues  he  came  to 
a  small  lake,  at  the  entrance  of  which  there  is  a  large  mass  of  copper, 
imbedded  in  .sand* 

■•  From  the  KJth  to  the  19th  he  advanced  thirteen  and  three  ijuarters 

*  The  miniM-alreg:ioii  of  Lake  Sni)erior  was  faillifully  explored  and  described 
by  emiueiit  Freiicli  engineers  more  than  a  century  and  a-hall'a'-o. 


,,^ 


■»? 


26 


if  a  1 


IIISTonKWI.    COI.I.KCTIONS    OI'    I.OirSIANA 


CiV2U0. 


1  raving  now  triivcllctl  from  tho  Tainivrois,*  two  linn. 
(Irctl  aiul  seven  loajrues,  lu-  Uft  tlic  Mississipjii  tn  oiitiT  Ft.  PctiT's 
lliver,  wlicrn  lio  rcinaiiied  till  tiic  Ist  Octuliur.  lie  tlien  entered 
IJlne  Kivor,  (Minncsnta.)  so  called  IVoin  .some  mines  of  bine  earth 
wliieh  he  fonnd  on  its  hanks.  At  tiiis  place  he  nn^t  nine  Heionx.  who 
told  hini  that  this  river  came  from  the  eonntry  of  the  Hcioux  of  tho 
"West,  lie  huiit  a  post  here,  hut  hndin;.;  that  his  estahlishment  did 
not  please  the  Seioux  of  tho  ]']ast  as  well  as  the  neii.'hl)oring  tribes 
he  had  to  tell  them  tliat  his  intentions  were  only  to  trade  in  heaver 
skins,  althongh  his  real  i)nrpose  was  to  explore  the  mines  in  this 
eonntry,  which  he  had  discovered  sonjo  years  before. 

'•  lie  then  presented  tliein  with  some  powder,  balls,  knives  and  to- 
bacco, and  invited  them  to  come  to  his  fort,  as  soon  as  it  was  con- 
structed, and  he  would  tell  them  tho  intentions  of  the  King  his  mas- 
ter. The  Seioux  of  the  West  have,  according  to  the  accounts  of 
those  of  tho  East,  more  than  a  thousand  huts. 

"  They  do  not  use  canoes  or  cultivate  the  land,  but  wander  in  tho 
prairies  between  tho  upper  Mississip])i  and  the  Missouri,  and  live  by 
luinting. 

''  All  tho  Seioux  say  they  have  three  souls,  and  that  after  death 
the  good  one  goes  to  a  warm  country,  tiie  bad  one  to  a  cold  country, 
and  the  third  watches  the  body.  They  are  very  expert  with  their 
bows.  Polygamy  is  very  common  among  them.  They  are  extremely 
jealous,  and  soiuetimcs  fight  duels  for  their  wives.  They  make  their 
huts  out  of  buffalo  skins,  sewed  together,  and  carry  them  with  them. 
Two  or  three  families  generally  live  together.  They  are  great 
smokers.  They  swallow  the  smoke,  but  some  time  after  they  force 
it  vip  from  their  stomach  through  their  nose. 

"  On  the  od  of  October  he  received  several  Seioux  at  the  fort, 
among  whom  was  0/'(ica///(/jn.  a  chief  of  a  village.  Shortly  after 
two  Canadians  arrived,  who  had  been  on  a  hunting  expedition,  and 
■were  robbed  by  the  Seioux  of  the  East  of  their  guns. 

"  On  tho  11th.  M.  le  Sueur  finished  tho  fort  which  he  named  Fort 
L'lluiller. 

'•  On  the  2'2d.  he  sent  two  Canadians  to  invite  the  Ayavois  and  the 
Octotatas  to  settle  near  the  fort,  because  they  were  good  farmers,  and 
ho  wished  to  employ  them  in  cultivating  the  land  and  working  the 
mines. 

*  Tho  present  town  of  Cahokia  i.s  built  ui)on  the  site  of  this  once  important 
Indian  village.  The  Cahokia  and  Taniarois  Villages  joined  each  other;  the 
Jesuits  had  a  Missionary  cstablishniout  there,  and  the  French  a  Post. 


■S 


^^ 


if 


f.st.\iii.ihiimi;n'i'  ur  nii;   I'Ui'.vcir   i\   Louisiana. 


27 


*  two  Iinri. 
St.  rotiT'.s 
I'll  entered 
111  lie  earth 
H'iou.x.  wlio 
inu.x  of  tlie 
ilmieiit  (lid 
riiirr  ty\hoii 
)  ill  he.iver 
I1C8  ill   tins 

A'os  and  to- 
t  \va.s  con- 
iiy  liis  nias- 
iccount.s  of 

iider  ill  tlic 
md  live  by 

after  death 
d  coiintrv, 
with  their 
extremely 
iiake  their 
rt'ilh  thein. 
arc  great 
thej    furcG 

t  the  fort, 
»rt!y  after 
ition.  and 

uncd  Fort 

is  and  the 
luers,  and 
'i-king  the 


important 
other;  the 


'•  On  tlie  'ilth.  the  two  Caiiadiaiis  retnrnt'd  wlthunt  liiiiii,'  ahle  to 
find  the  mail  wliii-h  led  to  those  triltes. 

'■  ( )ii  tlic  •iiith.  M.  le  SiiiMir  .■(■iiairi'il  to  a  iiKMintain.  ami  lillrd  three 
cannis  with  ;,'n'('ii  and  blue  earth,  .some  of  whieh  he  had  .sent  to  I'aris 
ill  Iti'.Mi  to  bo  assayed.  11*;  alsobrmight  away  witli  him  some  mineral 
s|it'eimenM. 

••On  the  [Hh  Novemljer,  eight  Mantantmis  .'^cionx.  who  had  lioen 
sent  liv  tliclr  Chiefs,  eamc  to  the  fort  to  inform  him  that  tiu;  Men- 
douaeantons  had  gone  to  the  lake  east  of  the  Mississiinii.  and  they 
wished  to  know  what  s;iti>fn('tioii  lie  wished  of  tliem.  M  le  Sueur 
rejilii'd  that  he  only  desired  to  have  a  talk  with   thi'in. 

-On  the  1st  Deeember,  they  invited  M.  le  Sueur  to  a  great  feast 
whieh  they  liad  prepared  for  him.  Tiiey  made  a  speech,  and  pre- 
sented him  with  a  slave  and  a  saek  of  oats. 

'•  On  the  I'Jth.  three  Mendoncaton  Chiel's.  with  a  great  many  fol- 
lowers, arrived  at  the  fort  to  render  some  satisfaetion  f  >r  the  injuries 
they  liad  eomiiiittcd  on  a  party  of  Fren(;h.  They  hronght  four  hun- 
dred pounds  of  beaver  skins,  and  promised  to  n^turii  next  summer 
after  tliey  had  iiarvested  tlieir  oats,  to  ('(Uiic  and  establi>h  themselves 
near  the  fort.  On  the  same  day  they  departed  for  their  village  to 
the  east  of  the  Mississippi.  On  the  l.lth.  two  Seioux  Maiitaiitous 
came  ( xpressly  to  warn  .^I  le  .'^ueur  that  all  the  Srioux  of  the  Ha.st, 
and  some  from  the  West,  had  met  for  tiie  purjiose  of  coining  to  the 
fort,  as  they  had  been  informed  that  the  Christianaux  and  Assinopoils 
had  determined  to  make  war  upon  them.  These  two  nations  lived 
in  a  country  more  than  eighty  leagues  to  the  east  of  the  f  irt.  on  the 
upper  Mississippi  The  Assinopoils  speak  the  language  of  the  Seioux, 
and  were  originally  a  part  of  that  nation  ;  but  the}-  had  not  for 
some  years  lived  on  terms  of  friendship  with  this  nation.  The 
Christianaux  are  accustomed  to  guns,  with  which  they  are  furnished 
by  the  Hudson  IJay  Cmnpany.  and  they  go  to  war  with  the  A.^sino- 
poils,  who  arc  their  near  neighljors.  On  the  Itlth,  the  two  Seioux 
returned  and  reported  that  the  Ayavois  and  Oetotatas  had  estab- 
lished themselves  on  the  Missouri,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Mahas. 
'•  On  the  "..JtUh,  the  Mantantous  and  Oujalespious  arrived  at  the 
fort,  and  pitched  their  huts  under  the  trees."* 

Ou  the  18th  Mareli.  170-2,  ■M.  d'Ibi:rvillc  arrived  at  Dauphin 
Island,  in  the  frigate  ••  Palmier."  which  he  brought  into  port  without 
any  ditliculty,  there  being  twenty-one  feet  or  more  of  water  at  the 

*  The  Inteiulant  commissary  of  the  colony,  who  was  afterwards  succeeded 
by  Piroii  D'Artaguette. 


t  I 


I  'I 
ilii 


i/;| 


:i    :| 


M    I 


28 


lIIriTorMCAt,    COM.r.CTIONS    or    roiIfltANA. 


pass.  On  tlio  lOtli,  M.  do  la  Salle*  arrivod  with  his  family  at  For 
Moliilc.  which  had  jii.st  Ih'cii  liiiishcd.  and  thu  head-([iiartrrs  nf  tho 
colony  ahoiit  to  bo  roiiioved  tlusrc;  Iroiii  dauphin  (."Massacri')  I.'-laiid.t 
On  the  Mtli,  M.  do  Tonty.  who  had  boen  siMit  by  M.  d'  Ibcrvilloona 
miH.siiiii  to  tho  Chaitas  and  (Miicachas.  arrivod  at  Mobile.  brinL'intr 
with  him  some  of  tho  )irini'i|ial  Chiefs  of  thoso  nations,  to  make  a 
treaty  of  peaeo.  ]{y  presonls  and  ontroaties  31.  d'  Iberville  made 
them  a[ireo  to  live  in  peaeo  to;:ether.  On  tho  :i7th,  31.  d'  Ibervillo 
retnrned  to  l>aupliin  I,>^laiid.  and  from  thenoo  ho  wont  to  Pensaeohi. 
On  the  i:!th  April.  M.  \)u<:\u'  arrivecl  with  u  transp(»rt  ladeiied  with 
provisions.  On  tho  iMst.  .Al.  d'  Iberville  and  do  Sori;;ny  tlepartod 
for  iMiinec.  On  the  J-Jth  .M:iy.  eiirht  .Mibamon  Chiefs  arrived  at 
Mobile  to  oonsult  with  M.  dc  IJienville  whether  they  should  eoiitinuo 
to  war  with  tho  Chit'aehas.  Tomes,  and  Mobilians.  lie  athised  tlioin 
to  make  a  peaoo.  and  iravo  them  sonii;  pri'sents  for  this  purpn.-^e.  On 
tho  'Jlth  .Iiino.  a  'Spanish  shallop  arrived  from  J'onsaodla.  nn  board 
of  which  was  Don  Jose  de  Koblas.  Capt.'iin  of  Infantry,  and  a  son  of 
the  nursi;  of  Count  de  .Montezuma.  ])rin^Mng  a  letter  from  Francisco 
Martin,  (iovornor  t)f  Pensaenla.  iiskin^ir  to  bo  supplied  with  ;;omo  pro- 
visions, which  M.  do  JJieiivillo  ^rrantod. 

Ou  the  iOth  Au.LTust.  .M.  do  Hienvillo  was  informed  that  M.  St. 
Denis  and  some  Canadians  had  invaded  the  territory  of  our  allies  to 
capture  slaves,  which  he  ordered  to  bo  restored. 

Ou  the  1st  October.  M.  I 'avion,  missionary,  and  Father  Limoge, 
a  Josi;it.  arrived  from  the  ^Fississippi.  to  jrivo  notice  that  one  of  their 
brethren  and  three  l-'renclniien  had  beiMi  murdered  on  tho  Yasous 
river,  by  two  young  Cnurois.  who  had  acted  as  their  guides. 

On  the  llth  November.  l)on  I'raneisco  Martin  arrived  from  Pcn- 
sacola.  with  the  news  that  franci!  and  Spain  were  at  war  with 
England,  and  a.sked  for  a  sujiply  of  arms  and  powder,  which  was 
given  him. 

On  tho  r^^th,  two  shallops,  with  two  Spanish  oHicers,  arrived  at 
the  fort  frem  St.  Augustine,  i'lnrida,  and  brought  a  letter  from  Don 
Joseph  do  Souniga  y  Serda.  Governor  (jf  that  place,  informing  .M.  do 
l)ienvill((  that  it  was  besieged  by  fourteen  English  vessels  and  two 
thousand  Indians.  IIo  further  reipiested  that  a  small  vessel  might 
be  sent  to  tho  Viceroy  of  Me.xico.  informing  him  of  what  had  hap- 
pened. M.  do  IJienvillo  sent  him  one  hundred  muskets  and  fivo 
hundred  pounds  of  powder. 

*  The  juunial  ut'^I.  le  Sueur  ends  hero.     lIo  leturned  to  France  in  April, 
1702. 

t  The  name  of  tliis  i.sland  was  changed  in  compliment  to  the  eldest  born  o 
the  King  of  France,  prcsuniptivoheir  to  the  Crown. 


<$> 


■% 


K-TAIIMSIIMI-Nr    OF    Tlin    rUr.Nfll    IN    LftLTIHIANA. 


29 


y  at  Tor- 
VH  of  llio 

I  Maiul.t 
villi!  on  a 
ln-iuL'iiig 

)  )ii;il\0  a 

II  If  iiKulo 
lliirvillo 

't'ii.-i:i<M)l;i. 
■iH'd  with 
(l('|iarto(l 
ii'iivnl  at 
I  I'Diitiiiuo 
isL'd  tliom 
iiiso,     On 
,  on  1)oar(l 
i\  a  sun  of 
Francisco 
i-.unio  pro- 
Kit  M.  St. 
ir  allicis  to 

r  Tiiniogo, 
(•  lit'  their 
Yasou3 


(un  Pcn- 
ar  with 
lifh  wa3 


av 


rrivetl  at 

roiii  Dun 

iiLT  M  do 

and  two 

l^sc'l  might 
had  hap- 

1  and  live 

:e  in  April, 
lest  born  o 


a»^ 


I 


On  tlh'  irtli  Dc'Ci'inhcr.  M.  do  Dccanconrt  Haih'il  for  Vt-ra  Cruz, 
with  li'ttiM^  i'mm  tin'  (lovcrnnr  nf  Moriila  to  the  N'ici-roy  of  Mrxico, 

(Ml  tlio  -Jd  January.  IJO;!.  M.  dt;  IJii'iivilh;  learned  by  letter- from 
Pcnsaeolii.  that  tin;  Fort  of  St.  Auirustino  sustained  it.sidf  ngain.st 
tlie  iihitid  ell'ort;)  of  the  Indians  und  Knirlish. 

On  the  .''th  Kehriniry.  a  pirugiie  arriveil  from  tho  Onahaehe.  and 
hriHiirlit  the  news  that  .M  de  .rnelier.'in,  Tiieiitenaiit  (ieiieral  of  .^Iont• 
]{eal.  had  arrived  there  with  thirly-fonr  Canadians  to  form  a  settle- 
ment at  its  mouth,  and  to  collect  hull'alo  skiii.s. 

On  the  I  1th.  an  otheer  arrived  frnm  I'ensacola.  with  a  letter  from 
the  (iovernor.  informing  .M  de  Uieiiville  that  tho  fort  of  St.  Angiis- 
tiiH!  had  receiveil  assistance  fmrn  Havana  :  and  the  Knglisli  soon 
after  raised  the  siege  with  the  le.-s  of  one  nf  their  largi.'.st  ships  on 
the  coast. 

(hi  tho  '^-^d,  M.  de  ]5eeaneourt  arrived  from  Vera  Cruz  with  pro- 
visions, lie  reporteil  that  31.  d'Alliul<iri|ue.  \'icerny  of  Mexico, 
had  received  orders  from  the  King  of  Spain,  to  jiermit  the  I'reiich 
of  Louisiana  to  enter  his  ports  to  hny  provisions.  On  tin'  :!d  "'' 
!MareIi.  the  men  who  had  lu't!!!  left  at  i'"iirt  Ij'irnillier  hy  M.  le  Sueur, 
returned  to  Mohile  on  account  of  the  had  treatment  which  they  had 
received  from  the  Indians.  On  the  .">d  of  .^lay.  the  Mnglish  living 
among  the  Indians  in  Carolina,  induced  tho  Alihannuis  to  dei-laro 
war  against  the  I'^reuch.  and  to  usi!  a  stratag(!ni  to  get  them  in  their 
power.  They  sent  two  ('hiefs  to  Mohih;  to  notify  the  Freiuih  and 
the  neighhoring  Imlians  of  the  (,'aliouitas  tribe,  that  tho  Knglisli 
had  left  their  villages,  and  they  could  obtain  a  iiuantity  of  corn  for 
themselves  and  their  garrison.  ]M.  Labrie  an  I  four  Canadians  were 
accordingly  sent  to  ])urchase  a  sup[)ly. 

On  the  .")t!i.  a  Spanish  shallo|)  arrived  at  the  fm't.  with  Don 
Ilyacinthe  lioipie  Peres,  an  olhcer  at  Apalache.s.  He  was  sent  by  the 
(jlovernor  of  I'lorida  to  ask  succor  for  the  province  of  the  Apalaches, 
who  were  attacked  by  throe  thousand  Indians,  composed  of  the 
Cheraijui.  Cahoiiita.  Talapouche.  Abicas.  Alibamons.  at  tho  head  of 
which  were  five  Knglishmen  and  two  negroes,  lie  reported  that  at 
the  ajiproach  of  these  nations,  the  Apalaches  had  demanded  of  the 
Spaniards  arms  to  defend  themselves  with,  which  they  refused.  This 
refusal  had  obliged  more  than  two  thousand  of  the  Apalaches  to  join 
their  enemies,  and  to  settle  in  (Jaridina.  Two  vilhagos  ot  the  Apa- 
laches, who  were  Catholics,  joined  the  Spaniards,  and  retired  to  the 
fm-t.  where  they  made  advantageous  sallies.  He  further  addeil  that 
those  nations  had  made  great  devastation  in  tho  province.  Hero- 
quested  a  detachment  of  Canadians  and  some  ammunition  to  he  sent, 
but  only  a  few  guns  and  some  powder  were  granted  him. 


I     I 


!     I 


80 


IIIrtTnUICAI.    c<il.I,r;(TIc\rt    or    I.dllHIANA. 


On  tlic-ilst,  M.  do  I'lriiiiiMMirt  siiilcil  fur  Vvrn  Cruz  to  [irnrurc 
ItrovisioiiH.  On  tlio  '-ilili.  Cliailrs,  the  ('aniiilian  wlio  wuh  Hcnt  on  tlie 
oil  (if  this  nmntli  with  M.  Lalni  tn  imrcliaHc  corn  oC  tlic  Alilianioiis, 
rctiii'Mod  with  liis  arm  limkcn  lie  ,»aiil  that  ahout  two  da^.s' joiiriuiy 
from  till.'  fort,  twidvu  Indians  iiad  imt  tiuin  witli  tlu;  c-aliinu't  of pcacoi 
and  in  th(!  iii^rht  assassinated  his  comininions.  Me  liad  hardy 
timo  tn  make  his  cscaiic  liy  tlirowinir  himself  into  tlie  river.  On  tho 
Qoth,  tliroo  Spaniards  came  frnm  l'rn>ai'ohi  with  htters  from  I 'on 
Amlre  do  hi  Uioh^  (lovernor  of  tliat  place,  who  jrave  notice  of  tho 
arrival  of  threo  ships  from  N'era  Crnz  with  provisions;  and  that 
hcarin;^  tho  garrison  at  Mol)ile  was  in  want  of  some,  ho  olVereil  to 
furnish  it.  'I'his  iiows  gavo  ^'roat  pleasure,  as  it  had  hceii  olili;.'eil  t.) 
seek  their  jirovisions  from  tho  Indians,  or  olso  to  live  oil  oysters  and 
fish.  M.  do  IJoisl^riant  was  dispatelii'd  to  I'ensacola  to  purchase  a 
supply.  On  tho  'i-M  July,  l/O;!,  M.  ch'  Hecanconrt  arrived  frouj 
Vera  Cruz,  bringini;  a  Icttor  from  M.  le  due  d'All»ukor(|Uc.  th;inking 
M.  do  IJionvillc  for  tho  a.ssistunco  ho  hud  given  F(.irt  St.  Augustine, 
Florida. 

In  tho  month  of  August.  t!io  Chevalier  do  l*errot  arrived  at 
Mohilo  in  tho  shallop  '•  liH  Jioire,"  commanded  liy  M.  Dugue.  ladened 
with  Jirovisions  ami  other  articles  for  tho  garrison,  lie  lirought 
with  him  Hcvciitecu  jiussongers,  among  whoju  was  iM.  I'ailhiu,  sor- 
geant  of  a  company  raised  liy  M.  do  Chateauguo,  l)rother  of  M.  do 
IJicnvillo,  who  was  soon  to  arrive  in  this  country  by  tho  first  ojiiior- 
tunity,  with  a  commission  of  second  lit'utenant  in  tho  navy.  M.  do 
Paillou  iiad  foriuorly  been  an  ollicer  in  Franco,  and  was  onco  aid- 
major  of  tho  colony  On  the  samo  day  four  Chicachas  })rought  the 
news  that  five  Fronohmeu  had  lu'eii  killed  by  the  Tongarois.  a  nation 
living  upon  tho  river  Casipiinimbo,  which  oniptics  into  tho  Ouahacho. 
On  tho  Kith  October,  M.  Dugue  set  sail  from  Dauphin  Island  for 
the  Havana,  where  ho  hoped  to  find  freight  for  France.  On  the  vi'id 
December.  M.  do  IJienville  set  out  fi'om  Fort  St.  Louis.  Mobile,  with 
forty  soldiers  and  Canadians  in  seven  peroguos.  to  punish  tlio  Aliba- 
mons,  a  nation  of  four  hundred  warriors,  for  tho  murder  of  the  four 
Frenchmen, 

On  the  od  January.  1701,  ho  discovered  the  fires  of  the  enemy, 
and  soon  after  ten  jieroguos  filled  with  men.  lie  held  a  council  with 
M.  do  Tonty  and  M.  do  St  Denis,  who,  (contrary  to  his  opinion.) 
thought  they  should  wait  till  night  to  attack  them.  The  Alibamons 
were  encamped  on  a  bluiV  difficult  uf  access.  The  night  was  very 
dark.  They  took  a  road  almost  impracticable  to  travel,  and  wdu^rc 
the  enemy  was  posted.     They  fired  and  killed  two  Frenchmen,  aucl 


I 


I 

'4- 


frtTAnt.ldllMr.NT    n|'    Till:    rUF.NCII    l\    LOUIillANA. 


81 


0  prnouro 
(lit  oil  the 

JiliilllinllS, 

»'  jduriuiy 

•t  ot'lll'lH'C) 

ml    liMi'i'ly 

On  tlic 

frniii     I 'nil 

icr    (it'   tllO 

iiml  tliiit 
(ilVcrcd  to 
(d.ligctl  t.) 
y8ti!r.s  and 
iir('li;ist'  a 
ivtil  tVnin 

tliMiiking 
Vuyu.stiuc, 

[irrived  at 
{'.  liuloiiud 

M    lil'OUght 

illdii,  ser- 
ol'  M.  dc 
i\st  oiijior- 
M.  dc 
)ii('o  iiid- 
in.!.dit  tlio 
,  ii  nation 
)ual)aclio. 
.-laud  for 
u  tho  -i-id 
))ili\  with 
u'  .\liba- 
:'  the  four 

10  cnoiiiy, 
luioil  with 
ojiinion,) 
ilibaiiions 
was  very 
nd  whore 
uuen.  aud 


I 

I 


wniiiidcd  iiiMthiT.  and  at'iirwardH  rctroatcl.  M.  do  IJioiiviHo  ."link 
their  |iirn;;iii.s  hidciiod  with  corn  and  on  tho  llthof  tho  saino  iiinnth 
retiirnod  to  the  Curt  at  Moliihv  On  tho  I  Itli.  a  party  nf  fvotity 
('iiioarhas  hroii;;ht  tivo  soalps  nf  ihi-  AliliaMiniiH.  for  taoh  of  whii'h 
tlicv  roooivod  flvo  inMuids  id'  hall^.  and  as  nnn'Ii  powdor  a;rri>oahly  to 
a  troaty  iiiado  with  thoin.  On  tin!  t'llh  April.  .^I.  .ln^v  do  lloldo 
arrived  from  l'ciisa<'ola.  to  ^rt  M.  do  IJioiivillo  to  siiid  a  vo.s.'ol  to 
\'ora  Cniz  to  infoiin  tho  Kin;,'  of  tho  o.\troiiio  niilforing  of  tho  j.'ar- 
risoii  whioli  was  roihicod  to  throo  hiindrod  nion. 

On  tho  -jOtli,  loftors  wcro  roooivod  from  I'onsaoola.  hrinL'in;.'  aa 
'looonnt  of  Don  Andre  do  la  Uicdle  from  Havana,  with  provisioun. 
31.  tie  Uoi.-briaiit  was  sent  to  obtain  sonio  whrat  from  ihrm.  On 
tho  '-i'^d.  two  Indians  from  I'oiisaeida  broui.'lit  a  letter  from  Don 
fJii/.man.  informing:;  M.  do  Uioiivillo  that  tlio  Indian  allies  of  tho 
J']ii;.'li>h  had  returned  to  tlio  Apalaehes,  and  kdlod  t\voiity-i;ii,'ht  of 
his  men,  and  beiiiiin;^  that  ho  would  retulor  him  some  assistance. 
On  the  "^Ith.  M  Diieoiidray-(Juiinont  arrived  at  Dauphin  Island  with 
tho  '■  I'oliean."  of  fifty  ^uns,  from  I'ranoe,  bringin,:;  provi.sions  and 
other  arti(  les  for  tho  oolony. 

He  also  bron;,'ht  s!\ty-five  soldiers,  boiii^  part  of  the  two  eompa- 
iiies  raise.d  by  M.M.  do  V^aiil^^'i^'U^l  and  ChateaugiU'.  Ihu  latter  of 
whom  arrived  in  eumpany  with  .M.  do  la  Vniito,  a  missionary,  and 
four  other  priests,  sent  by  the  Arehbishoi)  of  (^I'^^boo.  under  his  or- 
ders. There  also  arrived,  in  tho  .'•anio  ship,  two  ;:roy  nuns,  twoiity- 
throo  poor  girls,  and  four  familie.s  of  artisans.  The  girls  were  mar- 
ried in  the  same  month  to  diireront  Canadians. 

In  the  month  of  Sojitomber  (1701),  a  groat  deal  of  sicdincss  pre- 
vailed in  the  eoloiiy.  M.  Duooudrey  (Juimont  lost  the  half  of  his 
crew,  an<l  was  obliged  to  tidvo  twenty  men  from  the  (iarrison  to  sail 
Lis  ve.s.sol  back  to  Fruuee.     MM.  do  Tonty,*  et  le  Vassour,  Fatiier 

*  ,AI.  do  'J'oiity,  a  distiiiLMiislicd  iiijil  brave  I'micli  ollicur.  eaiiic  to  Canada 
v\itli  yi.  do  Sulk'  ill  ]07H,  and  was  liis  Ciiit'il'iil  and  eoiilideiitial  t'ririid  tlin)U;j;li- 
oiit  Ins  t,dorious  career.  IJe  aeconiiiaiiieil  him  in  liis  e.xiijoratioii  of  tiie 
Mi.s.sis.siiipi  river  in  10^:.'.  In  J(is:i  M.  de  la  Salic;  aiiiiointed  liiia  to  tliu  coin- 
aiaml  of  Fort  .St.  Louis,  on  the  Illinois  river,  wliere,  ii)  Die  Ibllowiiii;  year,  lie 
was  attiiuK'eil  liy  luore  tlian  two  hundred  Ironnois,  whom  he  rejuilsed,  with 
f^ri'Mt  loss  on  thiir  side.  In  lOMi  i;e  went  with  I'orly  men  in  eaiioes,  at  his  own 
expense,  to  the  (iull'of  .Atexieo,  to  seidv  j'oi'  .^I.  de  la  .S.ille.  who  had  prt'viously 
sailed  from  Uoehelle  with  an  e.\|iedition  to  plant  a  colony  on  tho  Mississipj)! 
.'•iver.  l'n;dile  to  Iiml  him.  he  relumed  to  .Montreal  and  put  hinisidr  iiiider  iho 
£<iniiniinil  of  .M.  Deiionville,  to  eiiL'aije  in  the  \\:ir  with  the  Irn'inois.  The  eam- 
pai!.^n  heiiiL'' over,  he  returned  to  Fort  St,  Louis,  in  I'lH'.t,  to  j^o  in  search  ot'  tlie 
remains  of  M,  de  la  S^alle's  eulony  in  Texas,  whicdi  he  was  unable  to  reaeli,  after 


I    i: 


* 


I 
I 


;|  i  i! 


i('!li 


82 


llIdToniCAI,    COI.LKCTIUX.S    OF    LOUIi^IANA. 


Dongy,  a  Jesuit,  ami  thirty  soldiers  of  tlio  new  troops  who  hud  just 
arrived  at  the  fort  died  diiriiii,'  this  iiioiitli. 

Oil  the  20th  Oetoher  twenty  Chicaehas  eanio  to  rojiort  tiiat  the 
English  at  Charle>*^ii,  Carolina,  had  made  them  a  present  of  twelve 
slaves,  taken  f- jni  the  Taensas  nation,  to  retain  them  in  tlieir  in- 
terest. 

On  the  27th,  three  J^paniards  brought  tlie  news  that  the  fort  at 
Pcnsacola  was  entirely  destroyed  liy  fire,  together  witli  the  barraeks, 
houses  and  goods,  and  begged  that  a  vessel  might  be  sent  to  Verri 
Cruz  to  report  tlie  disaster. 

On  the  I  Itli  Decembor  a  French  brig  arrived  from  Havana,  and 
reported  tluit  an  armament  of  several  vessels  were  fitting  out  at 
Carolina,  to  take  pos.ses.sion  of  Mobile  and  tlie  Mississijipi. 

On  the  21st,  the  chiefs  of  the  Tonica  nation  eamc  to  the  fort  to 
solicit  the  return  of  M.  Duvion,  the  missionary,  to  tlie-r  village, 
which  he  had  abandoned  since  tlie  death  of  M.  Foucault,  the  priest 
who  had  been  killed  there  by  the  Curoi.s.  instigated  by  tlie  English, 
and  in  concert  with  the  Yasous.  M.  de  IJicnviile  told  them  that  ho 
would  not  agree  to  it  until  the  blood  of  the  murdered  Frenclimen 
were  avenged.  That  if  tliey  wished  to  have  him,  they  must  strike  a 
blow  iipon  the  Curois  and  Yusous,  and  bring  him  all  the  iMiglish 
that  might  be  found  among  tliem.  That  to  facilitate  this  enterprise 
he  would  send  a  detachment  of  his  troops  to  assist  them.  The  cliief.3 
were  deliglited  with  the  proposition,  and  promised  to  engage  their 
allies  in  this  undertaking.  M.  de  Bienville  agreed  to  send  M.  de 
Saint  Denis,  v.'ith  twelve  Canadians,  to  join  31.  de  Lambert,  Ca])taiu 
of  the  Canada  Company,  and  brother  of  31.  de  Mandeville.  ojjiiici 
bleu,  who  was  descending  the  Mississippi  river  witli  forty  Canadians 
from  the  Ouabache,  where  he  had  been  commanding  since  the  death 
of  31.  de  Guchereau. 

many  montlis  of  jjrivatioii  and  siifli'riiii:.  tliroiicli  the  treaohcry  and  desertion  of 
Lis  iiu'ii.  He  siibsf(|iuntly  Joiiicd  .M.M.  dc  llHTvilK'  and  Bienville,  ou  then 
arrival  in  the  Gulf,  niid  was  employed  l>y  them  in  various  active  services  up  to 
tlio  time  of  liis  death.  All  tliat  is  ku'.iwn  of  his  persoiml  history  aTid  adven- 
tures—for he  has  not  been  so  f(irtuiiat<'  as  to  liave  hnd  a  biojjraplier  to  write 
them — is  recorded  in  ii  report  of  his  services  to  tlio  Freiicli  Government,  and 
published  in  tiie  lirst  volume  of  tlie  Historical  eulleclions  of  Louisiana.  They 
retlect  tlie  highest  hmior  upon  him  as  a  brave  and  generous  ollieer.  His 
achievements  in  tlie  exploitation  of  the  Mississipiii  Valley  must  always  rank 
him  next  to  La  Salle:  and  probably  he  contributed  more  to  the  suceesstul  ox- 
tension  of  the  French  jiossessions  in  North  America  than  any  oTie  man.  What- 
ever doubt  the  failure  of  the  lirst  exi)edition  of  Do  la  Salle  to  the  (iulf  of 
Mexico  may  have  produced  in  Fiance,  \vas  afterwards  removed  by  the  infoiiua- 
tion  which  he  obtained  of  this  country  in  his  courageous  eli'orts  to  Siive  his 
countrymen  in  Texas. 


'is 


I 

•I 


■  ■  Sf" 


i 


■  >^ 


d,^ 


nSTAIUJSIIMENT    OK    TIIF,    rUEXCH    IX    I.OUIf^IAXA. 


33 


.'I- 


1 


.1 


The  Toiiica  cliicfs.  aft(M'  liaviiig  received  some  presents,  set  out 
for  the  .Mississippi,  and  iiiiTeed  to  meet  M  Saint  Denis  at  tlie  Nat- 
chez Tliey  built  pir<),irues,  and  after  every  preparation  liad  been 
made  fir  tlie  war.  >I.  do  Saint  Denis  clninged  his  mind  and  refused 
to  go. 

On  tlie  21st  January,  170.").  M.  do  Chateaugue  .set  out  for  Vera 
Cruz  with  li'tter.s  from  the  (lovernment  of  Pensacola.  On  the  '^Sth, 
M.  do  Lambert  arrived  at  3Iobile  from  the  Ouabacho  with  the  Cana- 
dians he  fomnianded.  on  aceount  of  the  war  among  the  Inditms  there, 
leaving  behind  thirteen  thousand  bulFMloe  skins  behmging  to  ]\[.  do 
Guehereau.  On  the  1st  February  M.  do  Jjienville  was  informed 
that  the  Chicachas  had  sold  to  the  English  many  of  tlie  Chactas 
families  who  had  eomo  to  visit  them  ;  and  that  this  treaehery  had 
caused  a  rupture  between  the  two  nations.  There  were  at  this  time 
about  seventy  Chieaehas  at  ^Mobile,  and  they  were  afraid  to  return 
to  their  nation.  They  begged  31.  do  J>ienvillc  to  send  an  escort 
with  them,  which  ho  granted,  and  31.  do  IJoisbriant  was  ordered, 
with  twenty-tive  Canadians,  to  take  command  of  this  expedition. 
Ho  set  out  on  tho  '.ith,  and  arrived  at  a  village  of  the  Chaetas  at  the 
end  of  tho  month.  The  chiefs  of  this  nation  assured  them  that  they 
would  not  oppose  tho  return  (if  the  Chicachas,  but  it  was  right  to 
reproach  them  fu-  their  treachery  in  presence  of  the  French.  Tho 
great  chief  of  tho  Chactas  stood  in  the  middle  of  tho  ]ila('e.  with  a 
feather  and  a  calumet  in  his  hand.  He  invited  tho  (Jhiiadias  to  sit 
around  him  and  listen  to  his  speech,  which  they  did  with  their  guns 
cocked  in  their  hands.  The  Chactas  chief  then  ordered  more  than 
three  thousand  of  his  warriors  to  sit  in  a  circle  behind  the  Chicachas. 
Ho  then  commenced  reproaching  them  for  their  perfidy.  Ho  said 
the  French  could  not  know  their  treachery,  and  it  was  best  for  them 
to  dio.  He  then  lowered  the  feather  of  his  calumet,  whirh  he  had 
been  holding  up  till  then,  and  which  was  his  signal  to  strike. 
Several  Chicachas  were  killed,  and  jM.  do  Boisbriant  was  wounded 
by  accident  as  he  was  retiring.  He  was  carried  by  the  Chactas  on 
a  litter  to  >robilo,  where  ho  arrived  on  the  10th  March,  accompanied 
by  more  than  three  hundred  of  this  nation.  On  the  20th  March  31. 
de  Chateaugue  returned  from  Vera  Cruz  with  provision  for  tho 
colony. 

On  tho  10th  April,  ton  Chicachas  arrived  from  tho  Tonicas  by 
the  3Iississippi,  to  beg  31.  de  IJienville  to  reconcile  them  to  tho 
Chactas.  On  tho  lOth  August,  31.  do  IJionvillo  was  iiifirmed  a 
French  corsair  was  en  rc/(/r//r  at  Pensacola.  On  the  Oth  Seiitember, 
ho  was  advised  by  letter  from  Don  Guzman,  Governor  of  Pensacola, 


III 


o 


i'lir!  ^^i 


m 


34 


IIISTOIUCAI.    CfirLRCTIOXS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


that  the  Lc  Rosaiir,  of  forty-six  guns,  commaiulod  by  M.  Larideclie, 
had  been  wrecked  in  port  by  a  sudden  gale  of  wind,  which  tlirew  In  ; 
over.  Her  e(juipago  was  afterwards  sent  in  a  vessel  coniinanded  by 
M.  do  Cliateaugui',  to  Vera  Cruz.  On  the  I8th,  31.  do  (!!iateaugu(' 
returned  from  Pcnsacola  to  31<ibile  Point,  wiiore  he  found  a  small 
brigantiiK!  from  3Iartini([ue,  a  bucancer,  dismasted  and  unable  to  go 
to  sea.  He  compelled  her  to  anchor,  and  sent  all  the  crew  on  shore, 
with  the  excej»tion  of  a  few  persons  who  remained  on  board.  This 
vessel  luul  on  bord  ^7'i,000,  which  M.  de  Chatcaugue  sent  to  Mobile 
Fort,  under  the  charge  of  the  captain.     She  was  afterwards  sunk  in 


ag; 


iilo  of 


wind 


On  the  11th  October.  31.  do  Chateaugui'  sailed  for  Pensacola, 
where  ho  repaired  his  vessel;  and  on  the  'Oth  returned  with  31. 
Landeche  and  some  oflicers.  >0n  the  IGth  November,  two  canoes 
with  voi/(fg//ers,  arrived  from  the  [llinois.  One  of  them  was  31.  Lau- 
rain,  who  had  been  to  the  3Iissouri  river.  Tie  gave  an  account  of 
the  nations  who  inhabited  that  country,  as  well  as  of  some  Spanish 
settlements  on  the  frontier  of  3[exico.  »  On  the  *.tth  December,  170."), 
six  Chicachas  Chiefs  came  to  solicit  31.  de  Bienville  to  make  peace 
between  thcni  and  the  Chactas.  He  accordingly  sent  a  deputation 
of  three  Canadians  to  the  Chactas  nation.  On  the  ISth,  31.  de 
Bienville  reconciled  the  3Iobileans  witli  the  Thomes,  who  were  on 
the  point  of  delaring  war.  On  the  'iOth,  31.  de  Chatcaugue  arrived 
in  a  felucca,  which  had  been  sent  on  a  voyage  of  discovery. 

On  the  7th  January,  170G,  31.  Lambert  brought  the  news  that 
the  Chactas  had  been  attacked  by  four  thousand  Indians,  led  on  by 
the  English,  who  had  carried  off  upwards  of  '!iree  hundred  of  their 
/  women  and  children.  On  the  llith.  Father  Ciracio,  a  Jesuit,  returned 
from  the  Illinois  severely  wounded.  He  had  much  trouble  in  making 
his  escape,  as  that  nation  had  declared  war  against  the  French,  s  On 
the  21st,  several  Chactas  Chiefs  arrived,  whom  31.  Lambert  had  left 
behind.  They  came  at  the  reipicst  of  31.  de  Bienville,  to  snjoke  the 
calumet  of  peace  with  the  Cliicachas  Chiefs,  who  had  previously 
arrived  at  the  fort.  On  the  21st  February,  31.  de  Boisbriant.  who 
went  on  an  expedition  against  the  Alibamons,  returned  to  the  fort 
with  several  prisoners.  Ou  the  27th,  a  shallop  arrived  from  Pensa- 
cola, with  the  Commissary  Don  I'edro  Garcia,  to  adjust  the  accounts 
between  the  Spanish  and  the  French  commandants. 

On  the  5th  3Iarcli,  two  Chactas  came  to  the  fort  to  inform  31.  de 
Bienville,  that  notwithstanding  the  promise  of  peace,  the  Chicachas 
had  carried  off  from  one  of  their  villages  upwards  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  persons,  and  asked  for  assistance  and  some  ammunition. 


■     ■■ill 
i      -?? 


KSTAIILIHIIMENT    OT    TUR    I'KK.Nt'H    IV    I,OUlf-l.\\ A. 


35 


Laudoclie, 
throw  Ik  • 
iiauded  by 
Iiatt'aiiguf' 
k1  a  small 
able  to  go 
on  !«bore, 
rd.  This 
to  Mobile 
Is  sunk  in 

i^ensacola, 

with  31. 

ro  canoes 

i  M.  Lau- 

;eouiit  of 

Spanish 

lor.  170.'), 

lice  peace 

ipiitation 

I,  M.   de 

wore  on 

!  arrived 

ows  that 

^d  on  by 
of  their 
eturned 
making 

3h.v  On 

had  loft 
oke  the 

3viously 

lit,  who 

the  fort 
Ponsa- 

:;counts 

I  M.  de 

icachas 
nndred 
mition. 


^3. 


■  f. 


On  the  Ith  April,  M.  dc  Chateaugue  sailed  for  Havana  with  the  orow 
of  the  brigantine  lost  on  the  coast.  On  tho-2Stli  May.  tlio  <!overnor 
of  ronsacola,  sent  the  French  garrison,  which  was  rodncod  to  tho 
last  extremity,  forty  quintals  of  corn.  On  the  i:!th  .Iiino.  M.  de 
Chateaugue  returned  from  Havana,  in  company  with  tin'  Kagle,  of 
thirty-six  guns,  commandi'd  1>y  3Ij^le  \oyan.  brdthor-in-law  of  M. 
de  ]>iciiville.  On  the  11th  Augu.sf/the  frigate  Kaglc  and  a  brigan- 
tine  commanded  by  M.  de  Chateaugue.  sailed  for  Havana.  On  the 
'2.">th  August.  M,  dc  l}ienvillo  was  informed  that  the  Tacnsas  were 
forced  to  abandon  their  villages  by  the  Yasous  and  Chicachas,  and 
to  rt'tire  among  the  Hayagoulas  ;  and  that  not  long  afterwards  the 
Taensas  attacked  the  Hayagcjulas,  and  had  nearly  exterminated 
them  ;  a  punishment  they  deserved  for  having  destroyed  their  allies, 
the  IMongoulachas.  The  Taensas  fearing  the  vengeance  of  the  Cola- 
pissas,  Houmas,  and  other  nations,  the  allies  and  friends  of  the 
IJayagoulas.  they  did  not  dare  to  return  to  their  ancient  villages;  but 
invited  the  Chitimaches  and  Yaguonechitims  living  on  the  l;ikes.  to 
come  and  eat  corn  with  them,  by  which  they  avoided  a  surprise. 
On  the  1st  October,  M.  de  Jiienville  was  informed  that  a  party  of 
Huron  Indians,  who  had  gone  to  make  war  on  the  Arkansas  Indians, 
were  surprised  and  burned  alive. 

On  the  10th  M,  de  Chateaugue  arrived  from  Havana,  and  re- 
ported that  M.  de  Iberville  had  fitted  out  a  fleet  to  seize  upon  Ja- 
maica, and  had  taken  on  board  at  Martini([ue  about  two  thousand 
buccaneers,  but  hearing  that  the  Knglish  had  been  informed  of  his 
intentions,  and  taken  measures  to  prevent  their  negroes  from  revolt- 
ing, he  sailed  for  the  islands  of  St.  Christophers  and  Neuvitias.  on 
which  he  laid  a  forced  contribution.  He  then  sailed  for  Havana, 
and  took  on  board  one  thousand  Spaniards  to  invade  Carolina.  Tho 
fever  broke  out  among  his  troops,  of  which  he  died,  and  eight  hun- 
dred men  and  several  officers  besides.  On  the  ".iOth  an  English 
trader,  who  had  been  captured  by  tho  Tonicas.  took  revenge  on  them 
by  assembling  together  the  Chicachas  and  Alibamons.  and  declaring 
war.  The  Tonicas.  not  finding  themselves  strong  enough  to  fight 
them,  abandoned  their  villages  and  joined  the  Houmas  ;  and  whilst 
there  enjoying  their  confidence,  the  Tonicas  rose  upon  them  and 
killed  more  than  one  half  of  the  tribe;  the  remainder  fled  to  tho 
banks  of  the  IJayou  St.  John,  which  empties  into  Lake  Pontehartrain, 
at  a  short  distance  oidy  from  the  spot  where  New  Orleans  has  since 
been  built,  and  established  themselves. 

On  the  1st  January,  1707,  31.  Berquier,  grand  vicar  of  (Quebec, 
arrived  from  the  Illinois,  and  reported  that  31.   Saint  Cosme,  mis- 


^ 


36 


UISTORirAL    COLLKCTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


li: III 


sionarv  at  the  Natclioz.  who  was  dosconding  to  the  aoa,  liad  boon 
killoil  liy  tlu;  Chitimaclios.  >!.  de  Biciivillo  sent  presents  to  several 
of  the  Indian  tribes,  and  r(M|U('sted  that  they  should  immediately 
dcelare  war  a<,'ainst  them.  In  ^Mareli  the  Paseagoulas  deelared  war 
against  tlie  Ouaclias  ;  and  sliortly  after  tlie  Indian  tribes  assembled 
to  make  war  ujion  the  Chitiniaches.  Tliey  were  composed  of  the 
Biloxi.s.  ]}ayag()ulas  and  Natchez.  Thoy  nearly  destroyed  the  Chiti- 
niaches, and  levelled  their  cabins  to  the  ground.  On  the  "iOth  .\pril 
letters  were  received  from  31.  de  Cliateaugue  that  ]M.  de  Noyan,* 
commander  of  the  frigate  Eagle,  died  at  Vera  Cruz.  On  the  10th 
July  M.  de  Chateaugue  brought  from  Pensacola  a  largo  (quantity  of 
bacon.  prc.-;('nted  to  the  colony  by  the  A'^ice  Roy  of  ^Mexico.  On  the 
25th  August  31.  de  Uienville  received  news  that  two  hundred  In- 
di&iis.  allies  of  the  Englisli,  had  invested  Pensacola,  burned  the  houses 
outside  of  the  fort,  killed  ten  Spaniards,  and  taken  twelve  slaves  from 
the  Apalache  and  Cliactas  nations. 

On  the  KJtli  November  some  Ouachas  arrived  at  the  3Iol)ilc  fort 
with  four  scalps  and  a  young  slave,  taken  from  the  Abika  nation. 
They  informed  M.  do  Bienville  tliat  the  Alibamons  and  Abikas 
awaited  the  arriv'al  of  some  English  to  go  and  attack  Pensacola.  Oq 
the  20tli  about  two  hundred  Cliactas  arrived  with  four  slaves  and 
thirty  scalps  taken  from  the  Cahouitas  and  Altaniaha  nations.  On 
the  2  Ith  31.  de  Bienville  was  informed  tliat  Pensacola  was  invested 
by  the  Indians  and  English,  He  took  with  him  one  hundred 
Canadians  and  arrived  there  on  the  8tli  December,  and  found  the 
siege  raised  and  the  Indians  and  En2;lish  retreated.  31.  do  Bien- 
ville  returned  to  3Iobile  on  the  lOtli. 

On  the  9th  January.  1708,  a  French  vessel  arrived  at  Dauphin 
island,  and  brought  letters  from  31.  louche,  of  the  island  of  Cuba, 
informing  31.  de  Bienville  that  31.  Ducasse  had  arrived  at  St.  Do- 
mingo with  a  large  fleet  to  convey  several  galleons  to  Spain.  He 
also  annminced  the  birth  of  a  prince  of  Asturias  on  the  27th  August, 
1707.  On  the  2 Ith  the  Governor  of  Pensacola  sent  word  that  a 
vessel  had  arrived  there,  briniriiiir  news  that  she  had  met  the  Re- 
noniiHa'.  a  French  frigate,  upon  which  31.  lo  Comte  de  Choiseul,  the 
new  (lovernor  of  St.  Domingo,  with  several  families  for  the  Isle  a 
Vaches.  had  embarked ;  and  that  the  Rciiomvicc  had  brought  stores 
for  the  colony.  On  tlie  10th  February  the  Ecnontmer.  commanded 
by  31.  Chilez,  arrived  at  Dauphin  Island,  with  provisions  for  the 
colony.  lie  brought  the  news  of  the  death  of  31.  de  3Iuys,  who  had 
been  a])pointed  by  tlie  King  Governor-General  of  Louisiana.     la 


^;1 


% 


*  The  brother-ill-law  of  ^I.  do  Bienville. 


I 


ESTAUMailMKNT    OK    Till:    FRKNCH    IN    Lot'lSlANA. 


37 


liad  been 
to  several 
iinodiiitely 
ilaretl  war 
assembled 
■i-'d  of  tlio 
tbo  Chitl- 
:Otli  April 
-Noyan, 
tlio   IGth 
lantity  of 
Oil  the 
lulroJ  In- 
lie  houses 
avcs  from 

nbilc  fort 
i  nation. 
I  Abikas 
ola.  Oa 
ivos  and 
US.  On 
invested 
hundred 
uiul  the 
e  Bien- 

^auphin 
f  Cuba, 
.St.  J)o- 
lu.  He 
August, 

thiit  a 
:hc  Re- 
L'ul,  the 

Isle  a 

stores 
landed 

or  the 

10  had 
a.     lu 


tliis  vcs.'<fl  came  M.  Diron  d'  Artagnette  anil  one  of  his  Ijrotlu'rs,  the 
former  to  (ill  the  office  of  Iiiteii<leiit  Commissary,  and  to  rt'iiort  on 
the  jia.<t  eoiuliH't  of  all  the  ollieers  of  tiie  eulnny:  to  examine  the 
port,  and  deeido  on  the  propriety  of  keeping  it  there  or  removing  it, 
accordinir  to  tlie  new  plans  ajiproved  of  by  the  King.  This  vessel 
also  brought  thirty  lU'W  reeriiits  for  the  two  eom}ianies  of  infantry 
serving  in  Louisiana,  with  (irder  from  the  King  to  discharge  all  the 
Canadians  w  ho  had  faithfully  served  his  majesty. 

In  A[iril.  1708.  the  lU'iionnii^o  sailed  for  France.  During  the 
remainder  of  this  year  and  the  whole  of  the  next  nothing  jiarticular 
occurred  excejit  tl.u;  arrival  of  some  vessels  bringing  provisions  from 
lloelielle  and  the  Islands  of  St.  Domingo  and  Martiiii(pie. 

In  the  beginning  of  1710  31.  de  la  Salle.  Intendaiit  Commissary 
of  the  colony,  died  a  short  time  after  his  second  wife. 

In  the  month  of  September  of  the  same  year,  an  English  ('orsair 
made  a  descent  u})0U  Dauphin  Island,  and  destroyed  tift\-  thousand 
livres  of  property.  In  March.  1711,  the  settlement  of  Mobile  wa3 
inundated,  and  iNI.  d' Artaguette  proposed  to  M.  de  Ijieiiville  to  re- 
move their  (quarters  eight  leagues  above,  at  the  entrance  of  the 
river,  which  was  accordingly  done.  In  the  month  of  May,  the 
Chicachas  declared  war  against  the  Cliactas.  At  the  time  there 
were  thirty  Chicachas  at  Mnl»ile.  who  we're  afraid  to  return  to  their 
villages,  and  31.  de  Chateaugue.  with  thirty  soldiers,  was  ordered  to 
escort  them.  In  September,  the  iic7/f;/y;///tv'.  of  lift y-six  guns,  arrived 
at  Dauphin  Island,  with  provisions,  on  board  of  which  was  M.  de 
Saint  llolene.  midshipman,  who  come  to  serve  as  (liil-ilc-cdiiij)  to  his 
uncle.  In  Xovember.  31,  d'  Artaguette  rtMirued  to  France  in  this 
vessel,  carrying  with  him  the  regrets  of  the  colony.  He  was  an  ac- 
complished gentleman,  and  soon  made  himself  acijuainted  with  what 
was  iieeessary  to  make  the  colony  flourish. 

In  January,  1712,  31.  de  Saint  ilelene  was  sent  to  \'era  Cruz 
for  provisions.  Ilis  vessel  fnuudered  in  the  harbtu'.  and  the  Duke 
de  Linares.  Viceroy,  who  had  succeeded  the  Duke  d'Albukeri^ue, 
furnished  him  with  another  in  which  he  returned  to  the  cohuiy.  In 
3Iarch.  a  frigate  of  Saint  3Ialo.  commanded  by  31  de  la  Vigiie- 
A''oisin,  arrived  at  Dauphin  Island,  after  having  attempted  to  trade 
at  Tuspan,  He  had  letters  frnm  31,  Ducase  to  the  Aiceroy  :  Ijut  he 
only  agreed  with  the  merchants  as  to  prices  they  were  to  pay  for 
goods  at  Dauphin  Island.  A  Spanish  vessel  afterwards  arrived  with 
the  money  to  pay  for  their  goods  ;  but  the  frigate  was  not  there,  and 
the  vessel  returned  to  Vera  Cruz.     At  the  end  of  the  ni'inth.  31.  de 


H 


'   !ii 


■I 

ll 


1    .,i 


l'^\ 


p 

,:i 

: 

1 

.li 
i| 

I 
i 

1 

1 
il 

if 

li 

\\m 


:|l 


88 


III.STOIUCAI-    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOULSfANA. 


Bienville  ri'cuiicilecl   tlu!  Alibamous,  Abikas,  and  other  nations  of 
Carolina  with  his  Indian  allies. 

In  tlio  month  of  Mi[y,  17l:>,  the  frigate  Jla/o/i  <h:  la  Fosse,  of 
forty  guns,  conmninded  by  31.  de  la  Jonquiero,  arrived  with  pro- 
vision.s  from  France,  and  brought  the  news  of  peaeo  concluded  at 
Rastadt.  Among  the  passengers  who  came  were  31.  de  la  Mothc 
Cadillac,  tlie  new  Governor  General  of  Lnui.siuna ;  M.  Duelos.  In- 
tendant  Commissary;  M.  de  Kichebourg ;  IMM.  Le  IJas,  comp- 
troller, and  Dirigouin,  ]ia  Laire  des  rr,sins,  agents  and  directors  ap- 
pointed by  M.  Crozat,*  to  whom  the  King  had  granted  a  charter  of 
Louisiana,  for  ten  years  by  letters  patent,  dated  14th  September.t 

*y\.  CiMzat,  ^Marquis  dii  Cliatcl,  was  one  of  tliu.se  great  (in;uicicrs  wlio 
flouiishi'il  in  till' rcii^MMil' Louis  XI V'tli,  when  lie  olitiiiniMl  tlu'  Uoyal  Charter 
granting;  iiini  .so  many  (•oniincrciiii  iirivilci,'-('s.  Tlic  military  I'orcc  in  Lonisiuna 
at  that  time,  did  not  exccud  t'.vo  companies  of  infantry,  of  lifty  men  each,  seven- 
ty-live Canadians,  and  about  tliri'e  Imndred  ])ersons  of  every  deserijilion  which 
was  seatlired  over  a  lioandless  territory.  Jle  died  on  the  Tth  .Inne,  17-\S. 
t  i.K'i'TKii.s  i'.\rK\T  ouwi'Kn  nv  tor  ki.m;  oi'  i'uanck  to  m.  ciiozAT. 

Loui.-<.  liy  tnt  Grace  of  God,  Kin;:,'  of  France  and  Navarre  ■  To  all  who  shall 
sec  these  ])resent  Letters,  Greetin^^.  The  eari'  we  have  always  liad  to  ])rocurc 
the  welliire  and  advaiUage  of  inu'  snlijeets  having  induced  us.  notwitlistanding 
the  alm<ist  continnal  wars  which  we  have  heen  ohliired  to  sapjiort  I'rom  the  be- 
ginning ol'our  reign,  to  seek  for  all  ])ossible  oiiporlnnities  of  enlargisig  and  ex- 
tending the  trade  of  our  Anu'rican  Colonies,  we  did  in  the  j-ear  l(i8o  give  our 
orders  to  nmlertake  a  discovery  of  the  countries  and  lands  which  are  situated 
in  the  \ortliern  jiart  of  America,  between  IS'ew  Fraiu'c  and  New  3Iexico:  and 
the  Sii'urde  la  Sale,  to  wiiom  we  conunitted  that  eiitcrpri.so,  having  had  success 
enough  to  eontirm  a  lielief  that  a  ennniinnieation  might  be  settled  from  New 
France  to  tiie  Gnlf  of  ^lexico  by  means  of  large  rivers  ;  this  oiiliged  us  imme- 
diately after  the  ])eace  of  Kyswick  to  give  orders  for  the  establishing  a  Colony 
there,  and  maintaining  a  garrison  which  has  kept  and  preserved  the  jiossession, 
we  had  taken  in  the  very  year  1(18:!  of  tlu:  Lands,  Coasts  and  Islands  which  are 
situated  in  the  Gulf  ol' -Mexico,  betwt'en  Carolina  on  the  East,  and  Old  and  New 
Mexico  on  the  West.  Uut  a  new  war  having  bri>ke  out  in  Europe  shortly  after, 
there  was  no  possibility,  till  now.  of  reai)ing  from  that  new  Colony  the  advan- 
tages that  might  have  been  exiiected  from  thence,  because  the  jirivate  men, 
who  are  concerned  in  the  sea  trade,  were  all  under  engagements  with  other 
Colonit's.  which  they  have  been  obliged  to  follow:  and  \vhereas  upon  informa- 
tion we  have  received  concerning  the  disposition  and  situation  of  the  said  coun- 
tries known  at  present  by  the  name  of  the  Province  of  Louisiana,  we  are  of 
opinion  that  there  uuiy  be  established  therein  a  considerable  eonnuerce,  so 
much  the  more  advantageous  to  our  kingdom  in  that  there  has  hitherto  b'een  a 
necessity  of  fetching  front  tbreigners  the  greatest  ])artof  the  commodities  which 
may  l)e  brought  from  thence,  and  because  in  exchange  thereof  we  need  carry 
thither  in)thing  but  commodities  of  the  growth  and  mamifacture  of  our  own 
kingdom  ;  we  have  resolved  to  grant  the  commerce  of  the  country  of  Louisiana 
to  the  Sicur  Anthony  Crozat  our  Councellor,  Secretary  of  the  Household,  Crown 


I 


'M 


M 

•if 


'1^ 


f 


ESTAnLISIlMENT    OF    TIIK    IKF.XCH    I\    LOUISIANA. 


39 


nations  of 

hi  Fosse,  of 
l1  witli  pro- 
pihjIikIl'J  at 
3  la  Motlic 
Diielos.  In- 
l>as.  ciniip- 
irectorn  ap- 
.  cliartur  of 
tcmbor.t 

unciiTs  wlio 
>yal  Clifirtor 
ill  Li)iiisiuna 
ciU'h.suvL'ii- 
ijitidii  which 

HOZAT. 

ill  who  shall 

1  to  procure 

Aitlistanding 

roiii  the  bo- 

,Miig  and  I'X- 

)S:]  j^ivo  our 

irc  situated 

Irxico:  and 

lad  success 

IVoni  New 

d  us  iiunic- 

a  Colony 

possession, 

wliich  are 

(1  and  Now 

lortly  after, 

the  advau- 

ivate  men, 

with  other 

)ii  iufornia- 

said  coun- 

we  are  of 

nueice,  so 

•rto  b'een  a 

ities  wliich 

iced  carry 

pf  our  own 

Louisiana 

)ld.  Crown 


At  the  time  of  tlic  transfer  there  was  in  the  colony  four  liuntlred 
persons,  inehuling  twenty  negroes  and  three  hundred  head  «i  cattle,  v 
The  ol.jcct  of  M.  Crozat  was  to  open  a  trade  with  the  Spaniards  in 

and  Revt  luie,  to  whom  we  entrust  the  exerutiou  of  this  project.  We  an!  the 
moi<-  rea.lily  inclined  hereunto  1-ecause  his  zeal  and  the  sin,i,Milar  Uiiowledi^e  he 
has  aei|uire(|  in  maritime  couuueice.  eneourai;c  us  to  hojie  for  as  ^ood  >uccess 
as  lie  l;as  hillierto  had  in  the  divers  and  suudi  y  enterprises  he  has  i;c.ne  ujioii, 
and  uhiij'  have  iirocuivd  to  our  Uiii^dom  i;ivat  (puiutities  of  fjold  and  silver  in 
such  conjunctures  as  have  rcndi'icd  them  very  acceptahle  to  us. 

For  these  reasons  heiuu;  desirous  to  show  our  favor  to  him.  and  to  regulate 
the  conditions  uiion  which  we  mean  toi,Mant  him  the  said  commerce,  after  hav- 
ing delilierat.il  tins  all'air  in  our  Council,  of  our  certain  knowledge,  full  jiower 
and  rnyal  autiioritf*w'e  by  tliese  picsents.  signed  by  our  hand,  have  apjiointed 
and  do  appoint  liii'  said  .Sieiir  Cm/at  solely  to  carry  on  a  trade  in  all  the  lands 
l)o.vscs>(d  liy  us.  and  liouuded  by  New  Mexico,  and  by  the  lands  of  the  laiglish 
of  Carolina,  all  the  ostal)lishmcnt,  ports,  havens,  rivers,  and  principally  the  port 
and  haven  of  the  Isle  Daupliine,  heretofore  called  Massacre;  the  river  of  St. 
Lewis,  heretofore  called  .Mississippi,  from  the  edge  of  the  sea  as  far  as  the  Illi- 
nois; toi;t'tlier  with  the  River  of  St.  Pliilii),  heretofore  called  the  .Missouri,  anil 
of  St.  .Firome,  heretofore  called  Ouabaclie,  with  all  the  countries,  territories, 
laki's  wiihin  land,  and  the  rivers  which  fall  directly  or  indirectly  into  that  part 
of  the  river  of  St.  Lewi.;. 

The  Articles. 

I.  Our  pleasure  is,  that  all  the  aforesaid  Lands,  Countries,  Streams.  Rivers 
and  Islands  be  and  remain  under  the  Govcriiiuent  of  Louisiana,  wliich  shall  be 
depeiiiicnt  upon  the  General  Government  of  New  France,  to  which  it  is  siUi- 
ordinate  ;  and  further,  that  all  the  lands  which  we  i)o.s.scss  from  the  Illinois  be 
united,  so  far  as  occasion  requires,  to  the  (ieiieral  Government  of  Nrw  Fraiu:o, 
and  become  jiart  tliereof  reserving  however  to  ourselves  the  liberty  <  A'  enlarging, 
as  wo  shall  think  tit,  the  extent  of  the  government  of  the  Country  of  Louisiana,  y, 

II.  We  grant  to  the  said  Siem-  Cro/at  for  lifteeu  successive  years,  to  be 
n'ckoiied  from  the  day  of  enrolling  these  presents,  a  right  and  power  to  trans- 
port all  sorts  of  goods  and  merchandise  from  France  into  the  said  Country  of 
Louisiana,  and  to  tralllc  thither  as  he  shall  think  (it.  We  forbid  all  and  every 
person  and  persons,  company  and  companies,  of  what  quality  and  condition  so- 
ever, and  under  any  ])retenci'  whatever,  to  traile  thither,  under  penalty  of  con- 
tiscatioii  of  goods,  ships  and  other  more  severe  punishments,  as  occasion  shall 
rci(nirc;  and  for  this  purpose  we  order  our  Governors  and  other  ollicers  com- 
manding our  troops  in  the  said  country  forcibly  to  abet,  aid  and  assist  the  direc- 
tors ami  agents  of  the  said  Sicur  Crozat.. 

HI.  We  permit  him  to  search  for,  open  and  dig  all  sorts  of  mines,  veins  and 
minerals  throughout  the  whole  extent  of  the  said  country  of  Louisiana,  and  to 
transport  the  profits  thereof  into  any  port  of  France  during  the  lifteeu  years; 
and  we  grant  in  perpetuity  to  him,  his  heirs  and  others  claiming  under  him  or 
them  the  property  of,  in  and  to  the  mines,  veins  and  minerals  which  he  shall 
bring  to  bear,  paying  us,  in  lieu  of  all  claim,  the  tiftli  part  of  tlic  gold  and  silver 
which  the  said  Sicur  Crozat  shall  cause  to  be  transported  to  France  at  his  own 
charges  into  what  port  he  pLases,  (of  which  fifth  we  shall  run  the  risks  of  the 


'HI 


: 


40 


lir-STorUCAI,    (•Ol-LKCXIONd    OI'    LOUISIANA. 


t 


% 


Mexico,  and  to  establish  a  coiiunercial  depot  at  the  Dauphin  Ishind, 
with  lirigMiitiiies  to  ('oiivcy  mei'chatidise  to  I'oiisaeola,  TaiiipicK,  Vera 
Cruz,  Tu>itan,  and  the  coast  of  Cauipeaehy,  in  which  lie  would  have 


:  1 


III 


i'  n 


iilll 


i:!    '' 


scii  aiiil  ol'wiif. )  mill  till'  triitli  piii't  (if  wh.'it  ('H'rits  lie  shall  draw  IVuiii  tiie  otlior 
iiiiiu's,  Veins  mill  iiiiiurals,  wliiili  (riitli  lie  shall  traiisll'r  ami  foiivcy  to  uiir 
niaj,M/.iiii's  ill  tin;  said  country  of  Louisiana. 

Wi'  likewise  iieiinit  liini  to  seari'li  tor  iii'eciniis  stones  ami  ]ieMrls,  ])aying  us 
the  lil'tli  |iait  in  the  same  inaiiner  as  is  uientioiieil  loi-  the'  ;,nilil  ami  silver. 

We  will  that  the  saiil  Sieiir  Crozat.  his  heirs,  or  those  claiinini:  unih'i'  him 
the  iierpetiial  ri^lit,  shall  I'oii'cit  tjie  |iri>i)fiety  of  the  saiil  mines,  veins  ami 
niiiieials.  it' they  (liseiiutimie  the  work  duriiii;  three  years  and  that  in  sueli  ease 
the  said  mines.  Veins  ainl  minerals  shall  he  fully  reunited  to  our  domain,  by 
virtue  of  this  present  artiidi;,  without  the  formality  of  any  ]Miieess  (jf  law,  but 
only  ail  ordinaiu'e  ol'  re-union  from  the  suhdeleiiati'  of  the  inteiidaiit  of  Xew 
Franc,  \\lio  shall  he  iiiu  the  said  emmlry.  nor  do  we  mean  that  the  said  penalty 
of  I'lirf  iture  in  default  (jf  not  working  for  three  years,  be  rciiutod  aeomiuiiiatury 
penalty. 

IV.  Till-  said  Sieur  Cro/.at  may  vend  all  sueli  merchandl.se,  goods,  wares, 
commodities,  arms  and  auuuiitioii  as  ho  shall  have  cau.sed  to  be  transported  in- 
to the  said  country  ami  (jovei'umeiit  of  Louisiana,  as  well  to  the  Frencli,  as 
.savages  who  arc  or  .shall  be  there  settled;  nor  shall  any  jiersoii  or  persons  un- 
der any  pretence  whatsoever  bo  capable  of  doing  the  like  without  his  leave 
('Xi)ri'ssed  iu  writing. 

V.  He  may  purchase  in  the  said  country,  all  sort.s  of  furs,  skins,  leather, 
wool,  and  other  commodities  and  ellects  of  the  said  country,  and  tronsport  them 
to  France  during  the  said  lifleeii  years:  and  as  our  intention  is  to  favor,  as 
much  as  we  can.  our  inhabitants  of  New  France,  and  to  hinder  the  lessening  of 
their  trade,  we  forbid  him  tiviliicking  for  castor  in  the  .said  country  under  any 
pretence  whatsoever;  nor  to  convey  aii}' from  thence  into  our  kingdom  or.  ''eign 
ccuntries. 

VI.  \\\'.  grant  to  the  .Sieiir  Crozat,  or  those  clain'Mig  under  him  or  them,  the 
pro]ierly  of.  in  and  to  all  settlements  'vbieh  he  shall  erect  or  set  up  in  the  said 
country  for  silk,  indigo,  wool,  leather,  mines,  veins  and  minerals,  as  likewise 
the  jiroperty  of,  in  and  to  the  lands  which  he  shall  cause  to  be  ctUtivated,  with 
the  mansions,  mills,  and  structures  which  he  shall  cause  to  be  built  thereou, 
taking  grants  tluieoi'  iVoni  us  which  grants  he  shall  obtain  ui)on  the  verbal 
process  and  opinion  of  our  Governor  and  of  the  subdeli'gate  of  the  iutendant  of 
New  France  iu  the  saiil  country,  to  be  by  him  reported  unto  iis. 

We  will  that  the  said  Sieur  Crozat.  his  heirs,  or  tliosi-  claiming  umler  him  or 
them,  shall  keei)  in  repair  the  said  settlements,  manufactories,  lands  and  mills; 
and  in  default  thiM'eof  during  the  three  years,  he  and  they  shall  forfeit  the  same 
and  the  Slid  settlements,  manufactories,  lands  and  mills  shall  be  reunited  toour 
domain  fully  and  amply,  and  in  the  same  manner  as  i.s  mentioned  above  iu  the 
third  article  concerning  mines,  veins  and  minerals. 

Vlt.  Our  edicts,  ordinances  and  customs,  and  the  usages  of  the  mayoralty 
and  shreevalty  of  Paris,  shall  bo  observed  for  laws  and  customs  in  the  said 
country  of  Louisiana. 

Vin.   I  lie  isaid  Sieiir  Crozat  shall  bo  obliged  to  send  to  the  said  country  of 


•■■■s 

3 


\mv 


ESTAULISHMENT    OF    TIIK    FnKN'CII    IV    LOUISIANA. 


41 


liiii  Island, 
iijiicK.  \'ora 
wuiild  have 


succcodc'd  if  tlio  Sjinniards  had  not  rcfu.siul  sin(,'C  the  peace  to  open 
their  [mrts  to  the  Fren.li,  in  order  to  gratify  the  Enylish,witli  whom 
thoy  had  made  a  commercial  treaty. 


M' 


(•111  tlie  otlier 
>n\v\  to  our 

Is,  i>ayiiig  lis 
silver. 

J,'  iiiii]t  r  liiin 
s,  veins  nnd 
:  ill  suelu'iiso 
■  (loiiiaiii,  by 
s  of  law.  but 
lant  of  New 
said  jii'iialty 
L'uiiiiuiiiatory 

<H)(ls,  wares, 
aiispoi'ted  in- 
e  French,  as 
r  persons  un- 
lut  lii.s  leave 

tins,  leather, 
iispmt  tliem 
to  I'livor,  as 
lessening  of 
uniler  any 
n  or .   "eign 

>v  llieiii,  the 

in  the  said 

as  likewise 

ivaieil,  with 

lilt  tliereou, 

the  verbal 

intendant  of 

nder  liini  or 
s  .■iml  mills; 
it  the  same 

liled  toour 

I'lvc  in  the 

mayoralty 
in  tiio  said 

country  of 


■J 

I 


I 


.i 


Louisidiiii  two  shi[)s  every  year,  which  he  sliall  ciuiso  to  set  out  in  the  proper 
season,  in  each  of  which  ships  he  shall  cause  to  be  embarked,  w  thoiit  paying 
any  iVei^'ht.  twenty-live  tuns  of  victuals,  ell'eets  nnd  necessary  ammunition,  for 
the  maintenance  of  the  garrison  and  forts  of  the  Louisiana  ;  and  in  case  we 
should  cause  to  he  laden  above  the  said  twenty-live  ttms  in  each  .shii),  we  eon- 
sent  to  pay  tlie  freight  to  tlie  .said  Sieur  Crozat,  at  the  common  mercantile 
rates. 

He  shall  be  obliged  to  convey  our  ollicers  of  Louisiana  in  the  ships  which 
lie  shall  send  thither,  and  to  furnish  them  with  .subsistence  and  acnptain'.s  table 
for  thirty  sols  per  day,  which  he  will  cause  to  be  i)aid  for  each. 

He  shall  likewise  give  passage  in  the  said  ships,  to  the  .soldiers,  which  wo 
shall  please  to  send  to  the  said  country ;  and  we  will  cause  the  necessary  pro- 
visions tor  tlieir  subsistence  to  be  furnished  to  him,  or  will  pay  him  for  them 
at  the  same  jirice  as  is  paid  to  the  Purveyor  General  of  our  Marine. 

lie  shall  be  furthermort'  obliged  to  send  on  board  each  shii),  which  he  shall 
cause  to  set  out  for  the  said  country,  ten  young  men  or  women,  at  his  own 
election. 

JX.  We  will  cause  to  be  delivered  out  of  our  magazines  to  the  said  Sieur 
Crozat,  ten  thou.sand  weight  of  gunpowder  every  year,  which  he  shall  pay  us 
for  at  tlie  price  that  it  shall  cost  us,  and  this  for  so  long  time  as  the  present 
privilege  shall  la.st. 

X.  The  wares  and  merchandise  which  the  said  Sieur  Crozat  shall  consign 
to  tJie  said  country  of  Louisiana  shall  be  exempt  from  all  duties  of  exportation, 
laid  or  to  be  laid,  on  condition  that  his  directors,  deputies  or  cler.ks  shall  en- 
gage to  give,  within  the  sjjace  of  a  year,  to  be  reckoned  from  the  tlate  thereof, 
a  t'ertificate  of  their  unlading  in  the  said  country  of  Louisiana;  under  penalty, 
in  case  of  contravention,  to  jiaj"  the  quadru])ule  of  the  duties,  reserving  to 
ourselves  the  power  of  giving  him  a  longer  respite  in  such  cases  and  occur- 
rences as  we  shall  think  proper. 

XI.  And  as  for  the  goods  and  mercliandise  which  the  .Sieur  Crozat  shall 
cause  to  be  brought  from  the  said  count  v  of  Louisiana,  and  upon  his  account, 
into  the  ports  of  our  kingdom,  and  shall  afterwards  cause  to  be  trans{iorted 
into  foreign  countries,  they  sliall  pay  no  duties  either  of  importation  or  expor- 
tation, and  shall  be  deposited  in  tlie  custom  house,  warehouses  of  ports  where 
they  shall  arrive,  until  they  be  taken  away  ;  and  when  the  deputies  and  clerks 
of  the  said  Sieur  Crozat  shall  be  minded  to  cause  them  to  be  transina'ted  in 
foreign  countries,  either  by  sea  or  land,  they  shall  be  obliged  to  give  security  to 
bring,  within  a  certain  time,  a  certilicate  from  the  last  ollice,  contaiiung  what 
they  exported  there,  and  another  certificate  of  their  unlading  in  foreign  coun- 
tries. 

Xn.  In  case  the  said  Sieiu"  Crozat  bo  obliged,  for  the  furtherance  of  his 
commerce  to  fetch  from  foreign  countries  some  goods  and  merchandise  of  for- 
eign manufactures,  in  order  to  transport  them  into  the  said  country  of  Louisi- 
ana. He  shall  make  us  acquainted  therewith,  and  lay  before  us  states  tliereof; 
upon  which  we,  if  we  think  fit,  will  grant  him  our  particular  permission  with 


!,. 


II       ! 


'U  inHToRICM,    ror.I.KCTIONS    or    I.DtrrHfANA. 

riir  !irriv;il  of  M.  di;  la  Motlii!  ('jnlilliK!  r'niild  not  Imt  luivo  pro- 
diu'c'd  a  goiid  oll'cct  in  lioui.siaiin,  it'  lit;  liad  only  ni'tcd  in  cuncu'rt 
witli  yi.  do  IJicnvillc ;  Imt  licin;^  jealous  of  tin.'  pojiularity  of  M.  do 
IJieiivillc.  it  ;:ave  risi'  to  ropcatrd  alti'i'i'ations  lictwct'ii  tlicni.  out  oi' 
\?luch  grew  two  partiua  in  the  colony,  and   witieli  exist  tu  tliin  day.* 

I'Xcinptions  (Vditi  diitii'S  of  iiii|ii>rtii(ioii  and  cxiiortiitioii,  jn-ovidi'il  tlic  said 
goods  luid  nicrcliundisc  lie  dl■|lo^it^d  jil'trrwimls  ill  dur  cilsIdiii  liiiiisi'  wiiri'- 
liniiscs  until  tiii'V  lie  iiidi'ii  in  tlir  sliipH  (if  tile  siiid  Siciir  Crox.ut,  wim  slwiil  bo 
(liili^fd  to  hiiiij;  in  i<\n-  \i;\v.  to  lie  rccUdiicd  iVoin  tin'  diiy  of  tlii"  date  iicri'ul'', 
a  c.  itilii'ato  of  tlu'ir  iinlailiiii,'  in  llic  said  I'omiiiy  dl'  liduisiana,  uiidci'  innaity, 
in  iMM'  dl'  cdntravi'iitidii,  td  pay  i|iiadi'upli'  tlic  duties;  ri'siTvintj  to  nurstdvcs, 
in  like  nianiii'v,  tiu'  iiln'i'ly  nf  uianiiiij,'  to  llic  .saidSicur  ("vo/at  u  ldiij,'i'r  respite, 
iC  ii  lir  iiiccssarv . 

Xill.  'I'lic  li'luccas,  ( aiidcs,  and  otlnT  vi'ssds  luddni^in;;  to  us,  and  wjiicli 
ai\' in  till'  said  (tmnlry  df  Lduisjana,  .sjiail  mtvc  t'dr  Idadinj^.unldadinir  and 
tiunspdilini:  tlir  clli'iis  i>|'  ilu-  said  Sicur  Ci'd/at,  wlio  sliaii  lie  ixiuiid  td  Ivccp 
tin  ni  in  j^ddd  fdiulitidii.  and  alter  llie  expiralinu  of  tlie  said  lil'teen  yiiiiH  shall 
nsti>re  tiifiii.  or  a  like  nunilier  dl'  et(ual  hulk  and  i^dodness,  to  our  (iovernur  in 
the  said  emintry. 

\\V.  It' fdi-  the  eiiltures  and  ])lantatidns  which  the  said  Sieur  Crozat  is 
niindi'd  to  make,  he  Ijnds  it  pfojier  to  have  hlacks  in  tlu'  said  t'<aintry  of  tlu> 
Ldui-iana,  he  may  send  a  ship  every  y<'ar  to  trade  tin-  them  direetly  upi>n  tlio 
t'd.ist  dl'lJuinea.  takini^  jn'iinissiou  from  the  (iiiinea  C^ompauy  sotodo;  he  may 
sell  lhds(.' l)laeks  ti>  the  inhaliitants  df  the  Cdldiiy  df  Loiiisiaua,  and  we  forliid 
all  dlher  companies  and  peismis  whatsdcver.  under  any  iireteuei;  whatsoevtT,  to 
inlrodnee  blacks  or  trallie  for  them  in  the  said  eountry,  nor  shall  the  said  Sicur 
Cvd/.at  carry  any  blai'ks  elsewhere. 

X\'.  He  shall  imt  send  any  sliijjs  into  the  said  country  of  LiMiisiana  Iml  di- 
lectly  frum  France,  and  lu'  shall  cause  the  said  shijis  to  rt'tnni  tin'ther  aj^ain ; 
the  whole  under  jiaiii  df  Cdiiliscatidii  and  Idil'i'itiiri'  of  the  present  privilei,''t!. 

XVI.  The  said  Sieiir  t'ro/.at  shall  be  oblif^cd  after  thi' expiration  ol'tlie  first 
nine  years  of  this  grant,  to  pay  the  ollicers  and  tin;  jjarrison  which  shall  !»e  in 
said  country  duriiii;;  the  six  last  years  of  the  continuance  of  this  i)resent  ])rivi- 
k'se :  the  said  Sieur  Cro/.at  may  in  that  time  propose  and  nominate  the  ollicers, 
as  vacancies  shall  Call,  and  such  otlicer,  shall  be  cdiitirmcd  by  us,  if  we  ai)i)rovc 
C)f  them. 

tiivcu  at  Funtainblean.  the  fdurteenth  day  of  September,  in  the  year  of 
tirace.  1712,  and  of  our  reign  the  70th.  (Siirned;  LOUIS 

By  the  King  J'lIKLIPKAITX.  &c. 

Registered  at  Paris  in  the  Parliament,  the  2  Itli  of  September,  171-. 

*  On  one  side,  says  'Gayarrd.  the  Historian  of  Louisiana,"  was  the  Gover- 
nor, the  Agamemndii  of  his  party,  backed  by  Marigny  de  Mandeville.  Bagot, 
Bldiidel.  Latour.  Villiers,  and  Terriiu!,  scions  of  noble  houses,  and  all  of  them 
young  and  brilliant  ollicers;  ami  the  fanatic  Curate  de  la  Veiite,  who  stimu- 
lated them  to  the  contest.  On  the  other  side  was  de  I5ienville,  the  Hector  of 
the  op[>osition.  Diudos.  Boisbriant.  Chatoiiiigue,  Richebourg,  du  Tisue, 
Serigny,  and  others  of  note  and  iutlucncc,  who  were  at  least  fully  a  match  for 
tlieir  antagonist. 


"i;tr  ':■' 


.,ii  m 


KrfTAUl.ldnMKNT    *)V    Tin:    I'lHINCII    l\    r.MirirtI AVA. 


43 


it  Iiavo  pro- 
.  ill  concert 
ty  (if  iM.  do 
lu'iii.  out  of 
0  this  day.* 

ilc'd  tlic  sni(i 
liniiM'  wan,'- 

,  who  .sllllll  ll(> 

(I;ilc  lirri'ut' 
iiidcr  pcimlty, 

ti)  ourselves, 
i)iij,'ei'  respite, 

IS,  iuid  wliii'li 
iiloMiliiii;  ami 
oiiml  to  Uei'i) 
en  years  shall 
r  (I'ovi'nior  in 

eiir  Cro/.at  i^i 
niiitry  of  (lie 
tly  upon  tlio 
[Olio ;  he  may 
11(1  we  lorliitl 
liatsiH'ViT,  to 
hi'  said  Sii'ur 

siaiia  but  di- 
lither  again; 
pri\  ilei,'o. 
>ii  of  the  (irst, 
'h  sliall  he  in 
in'sent  jirivi- 
tlie  olliecrs, 
we  aiijuuvc 

tlu'  year  of 
LOUIS 

UK.  &c. 

s  tlio  Govcr- 
'ille,  Bagot, 
all  of  them 
who  stiniu- 
e  Hector  of 
du  Tisiie, 
match  for 


Iti  tlie  tuoiith  of  Aiiiriist,  llaroii  di;  In  l"'o.ss('  sailed  for  Franco.  Tn 
heceinl'cr.  the  fri,i,Mtc  liOiiisiaiia.  of  twenty  l'miis.  coiniiiaiehul  liy  M. 
]{eraii;."r.  stopped  at  l>aiiiihiii  Island.  Slie  l)eloiij,'iMl  to  M.  Cro/at. 
and  was  laden  with  provisioius  for  the  colony.  On  the  Kith,  ii 
f^reat  luiiuher  of  ('liiofs  of  tlio  (Jhactas  and  iieii^hhorin;;  trihes  caino 
to  cliaiiiit  tho  calumet  of  pcai'e  liefore  MM.  de  la  Motlie  (Jadillac 
and  l)'.\rta<,'uetto.  The  kind  reception  th(!y  recuivod  induced  them 
to  reject  tho  olfcr.s  of  the  l*]ii;,disli  in  ('arolina.  In  tlio  niontli  of 
April,  twelve  Kn;^li«limeii,  at  tho  head  of  two  thousand  Alihainoiis, 
Albikas.  Talajioo.sas.  and  Chicachas  Indians,  eaiiio  to  the  (Jhaetiis 
nation,  and  were  well  received  by  them. 

On  the  SAd  August,  .M.  ilu  Saint  Denis  set  out  with  thirty  Ca- 
nadians, to  make  a  rcconnoisaiuii!  of  the  Spani.sh  missioiiH,  in  the 
provin(!o  of  liastikas.  near  lied  llivc^r.  At  the  end  of  tho  year  1714, 
M.  Dutinti,  cusigfh' (/>'  ( '(jii/jxi/nc,  tA'  ('aiuula.  arrived  at  Mobile  to 
enter  the  service  of  M.  Crozat.  Hi;  brought  two  .specimen.^  of 
minerals  from  mines  in  the  neighborhood  of  Ca.scaskias.  which  had 
been  given  to  him  by  .some  Canadians.  M.  do  la  Motho  (Jadillao 
discovered  that  they  contained  a  great  deal  of  silver,  and  concluded 
to  visit  tlieiii  privately.  He  accordingly  set  out  for  tlie  Tlliiioi.s  in 
the  beginning  of  171').  On  his  arrival  there  he  in(|uired  of  the 
Canadians  who  had  given  them  to  M.  Dutini',  where  the  mine  was 
to  be  found.  They  told  him  that  the  .specimens  came  from  Mexico, 
and  that  it  was  in  jest  they  had  stated  to  M.  Dutine  they  canu!  from 
Cascaskias.  Soon  after,  M.  do  la  3Iothe  Cadillac  set  out  to  explore 
the  load  mines  fourteen  leagues  ia  the  interior,  to  the  west  of  the 
river.  After  the  departure  of  M.  do  la  Motho  Cadillac,  31  do  ]>ien- 
ville  was  informed  that  the  .English  continued  to  keep  up  their  estab- 
lishments among  the  Chactas.  Natchcs,  Vasous.  and  other  tribes  of  the 
Mississippi;  and  believing  that  it  was  necessary  to  take  prompt 
measures  to  prevent  tho  trade  of  the  colony  from  falling  into  their 
hands  he  sent  for  the  Chiefs  of  tho  Chactas,  who  would  only  come  to 
him  upon  the  assurance  that  31.  de  la  Motho  was  not  at  IicadMjuartcr.s. 

M.  de  Bienville  reproached  them  for  deceiving  him  by  telling 
him  that  they  only  purchased  their  goods  of  him,  and  were  all  the 
while  buying  them  of  the  English.  The  Chiefs  made  him  a  promise 
that  in  future  they  would  drive  away  the  English,  whom  they 
afterwards  pillaged  of  their  goods,  and  brought  three  of  them 
prisoners  to  Mobile.  About  this  period  M.  Voux,  an  English  oHiccr, 
passed  through  all  the  Indian  villages  in  which  were  any  English, 
and  went  by  land  to  Natchez.  From  thence  he  proceeded  down  the 
river  to  make  an  alliance  with  the  Houmas,  Bayagoulas,  Ouachas, 


■  (■'I 


1:1 


M 


!■    ,        'i- 


ii:!     ' 


m     ii 


44 


IIISTOnif'AI,    COI,LF,CTIONS    OF    LOUIS tAN'A. 


nnil  ('olapisHa.H,  anJ  to  soiitnl  the  inoiitlis  of  tlio  Mississippi.  M.  d 
la  Loire  ilcs  llrsiiin,  (JoiiiiniHsary  of  M.  Crozat,  iimiiediatoly  son> 
a  jiiniguo  and  tun  CaiiadianH  to  capture  liini,  tlicy  overtook  liini  in  tho 
nei;,'iiborliood  of  Maiicliae.  and  carried  liitii  to  .'Mol)il(!  From  tlionce 
he  was  went  to  I'eiiHaeohi ;  but  winhin;;  to  return  by  hmd  tn  Carolina, 
ho  was  killed  on  the  road  by  a  Thome  Indian,  who  was  huiitinj^. 

In  tho  month  of  -July,  171 '>,  a  piro;,Mio  with  Alibamonn  arrived  at 
the  fort  with  a  ('anadian  and  an  Englishman  ;  they  reportrd  thatse^ 
veral  of  the  Iniian  tribes  in  Carolina  iiad  fallen  uj)on  tlic  iliiglish  in 
their  towns  and  had  massacred  them,  including  tiioso  of  I'urt  ]{oyal. 
This  revolt  cost  tho  English  about  eight  hundred  lives.  M.  do 
Saint  llelono  was  standing  in  a  cabin  of  one  of  tin;  Cliicachas 
at  tho  time,  with  several  Englishmen,  who  witnessed  the  niassacro. 
As  one  of  tho  Chiefs  was  about  to  tell  him  to  stand  aside  and  not  to 
be  alarmed,  two  young  Indians  who  iiad  slipped  into  th(;  cabin,  saw 
him,  and  believing  him  to  be  an  Englishman,  shot  him  <lead.  Ho 
was  greatly  regretted  by  tho  colony.  After  this  massacre  M.  de 
Bienville  sent  deputies  to  tlio  Alibamons,  Albikas,  Taiapnosas,  and 
Caliouitas,  to  renew  his  alliaueo  witli  them.  Two  villages  of  Con- 
chaiiues,  who  had  always  been  faithful  to  the  French  and  resided 
near  Mobile  fort,  had  been  driven  out  of  their  country,  because  they 
would  not  receive  the  English  among  them.  M.  de  liienville  sent 
several  Chiefs  to  inform  the  Chactas  that  he  would  not  leeeive  or 
trade  with  them,  unless  they  reincorporated  these  two  vilhiges,  and 
sent  him  the  head  of  Ouatachitou,  tho  brother  of  their  principal 
Chief,  for  having  fomented  a  civil  war.  The  Chiefs  on  their  arrival 
delivered  this  message,  which  caused  a  great  murmur  among  them. 
Nevertheless,  they  concluded  to  obey  it,  and  sent  tho  head  of  tho 
brotlier  of  their  Cliief  to  M.  de  liieuville,  and  likewise  permitted  the 
two  villages  to  join  them. 

On  tho  15th  August,  the  brig  of  war  "La  Dauphine."  Captain 
Beranger,  arrived  at  Mobile,  witli  two  companies  of  Infantry,  com- 
manded by  MM.  de  Maudeville*  and  Bajot,  which  increased  the 
expenses  of  the  colony  to  32.000  livrcs  per  annum.  M.  llogcon, 
came  a  passenger,  to  relieve  M.  Dirigouin,  one  of  the  directory 
of  M.  Crozat.  At  the  same  time  a  frigate  from  Eoehelle,  and  a 
brigantine  from  Martinique,  came  to  ask  the  privilege  to  traffic  in 
goods,  which  was  refused,  as  M.   Crozat  had  tho  sole  trade  of  the 

*  M.  Marigny  de  Manduville  published  a  memoir  on  Louisiaua  at  Paris, 
in  1765. 


RWTAnl.lSIIMKNT    «»F    TIIK    KUFNCIC    IN    I.O(TIgIANA. 


•15 


Paris, 


country.  In  October,  IM.  do  lii  Motlio  (laclilluc  retunitMl  frnm  Illi- 
nois  witli  liis  (lauglitor  to  Mobile.  He  brmi>,'lit  with  him  Kcvfriil 
minoriil  specimens  of  little  value,  and  in  the  following  mnntli  he 
mailed  for  I'riinco  in  the  •' l),iu|thine."  In  January.  17  lti,  some 
of  the  CIieraijuiH  Iiidian.s  who  lived  mu-thc'ist  of  Mobile,  killed 
M.M.  de  Jlaui.say  and  do  Lonj^ueil.  Some  time  after,  the  father 
of  the  latter  gentleman,  the  King'.s  Lieutenant  in  ('anada.  engaged 
the  Tro'iuois  to  .supri.se  this  tribe.  Tlicy  saeki'(l  two  of  their  villages 
and  obliged  the  rest  to  retreat  towards  New  England.  On  the 
10th  Kcliruary,  M.  do  (!hateaugue  was  despatched  to  Capo  St. 
I'raneais  for  provisions,  at  the  same  time  M.  do  lloisbriant  em- 
barked for  France.  The  tlute.  /a  J)'Uip/ii /it:  hrnujiht  M.  d(>  l^Iiiiville 
the  appiiiiitment  of  King's  (Jomniandant.  Jle  was  ordered  to  take 
two  eoiiipanies  of  Infantry,  to  place  one  at  Natehez,  and  the  other 
on  the  Oiiabache,  and  to  remove  his  head-(iuarters  to  Natchez. 

IJut  .M.  do  la  Mothe  (!adillac  would  not  give  him  but  thirty-five 
men  ;  although  he  know  that  M.  de  la  Loire  des  Ursins  had  brought 
the  news  that  five  Frenehmen  had  been  killed  by  the  Natchez,  and 
ho  had  barely  escaped  by  the  advice  of  a  chicif.  who  had  given  him  the 
means  to  save  his  life.  IM.  de  Uienville  set  out  accordingly,  and  ar- 
rived at  tlie  fort  on  the  Mississippi,  whore  he  found  MM.  de  Taillou 
and  de  Uichebourg  with  the  pirogues  which  bad  been  sent  from  Mo- 
bile, laden  with  provisions  and  utensils  to  form  the  settlements  at 
Natchez  and  on  the  Ouabache.  lie  ordered  them  to  proceed  and  join 
him  at  tlie  Tonicas,  a  post  which  had  been  established  a  short  time  be- 
fore on  the  [Mississippi,  about  two  Itiagues  above  the  mouth  of  the  lied 
River,  on  the  borders  of  a  lake.  He  rejoined  them  on  the  i2th 
March,  and  was  there  informed  that  the  Natchez,  had  since  the 
departure  of  M.  de  la  Loire,  killed  two  Frenchmen  and  j)illiiged 
six  Canadians,  who  were  descending  the  river.  He  was  also  told  tliat 
the  Natchez  had  joined  the  Tonicas.  M.  de  IJienville  sent  an  inter- 
preter to  the  Natchez  to  solicit  some  provisions  and  to  bring  the  calu- 
met of  peace.  Tiio  Great  Chief  sent  him  nineteen  persons,  five 
of  whom  were  chiefs  of  the  sun,  and  seven  the  chiefs  of  villages,  to 
make  a  reconciliation. 

He  also  sent  him  the  six  Canadians  whom  they  had  pillngod. 
On  bi.'ing  presented  to  M.  de  IJienville  they  offered  him  the  calumet 
of  peace,  which  he  refused  to  receive  until  satisfaction  was  rendered 
for  the  Frenchmen  they  had  killed.  They  were  confounded  at  this 
reply.  The  great  chief  of  the  Temple  lowered  his  calumet,  raised 
his   eyes   and  arms   towards    the  sun,   and   invoked  the   mercy  of 


I  :i  i 


u 


1  /;' ,"      . 

':  '»  i' 

■in 


if 


:!    ■:!: 


II'    -'.I 


46 


HISTOKICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


M.  do  Bienville.  He  then  presented  Lis  calumet,  which  was  again 
refused. 

M,  de  Bienville  repeated  to  him  that  no  reconciliation  could  take 
place  until  he  delivered  up  the  white  chief  and  his  accomplices  who 
had  committed  the  murder.  At  this  proposition  the  chiefs  said  that 
he  was,  like  themselves,  a  chief  of  the  sun,  a  man  of  valor,  and  could 
not  be  given  up.  M.  de  Bienville  now  ordered  them  to  be  put  in 
irons  and  imprisoned. 

On  the  17th  the  chiefs  proposed  to  M.  do  Bienville  to  send  two 
of  their  chiefs  to  the  great  chief  at  Natchez  for  the  heads  of  the  mur- 
derers, which  was  granted.  They  soon  brought  him  the  head  of  a 
chief,  but,  suspecting  their  fraud,  he  rejected  it.  They  also  brought 
him  another,  and  this  he  refused.  Finally,  to  put  an  end  to  these 
conferences,  M.  de  Bienville  told  his  prisoners  that  they  could  not 
doubt  that  the  brother  of  the  great  chief  culled  "  The  Arrow"  was  one 
of  the  murderers.  He  had  received  the  English  into  his  village,  and 
had  been  a  great  disturber  of  the  public  peace.  The  chiefs  at  last 
agreed  to  give  up  his  head.  The  death  of  this  chief  restored  peace  ; 
and  it  was  now  stipulated  that  the  Natchez  should  furnish  posts 
and  lumber  to  build  a  fort  in  this  country  for  the  safety  of  the 
French.  This  work  was  commenced  in  June,  under  the  direction  of 
M.  de  Paillou,  who  was  appointed  commandant,* 

On  the  12th  June,  the  '•  La  Paix,"  of  12  guns,  commanded  by  M. 
Chapy.  arrived  at  Dauphin  Island  with  twenty  passengers :  and  at 
the  end  of  July  she  sailed  for  France.  On  the  25th  August,  M.  do 
Saint  Denis  returned  to  Mobile  from  his  voyage  of  discoveries.  On 
the  15th  November  (1714)  he  had  repaired  to  the  Assinays.  west  of 
Natchitoches,  and  not  finding  any  Spaniards  there  he  returned  to  the 
Natchez,  where  he  reinforced  himself  with  five  Canadians.  He  then  re- 
ascended  lied  Ilivcr  to  Natchitoches,  and  marched  to  the  Assinays, 
where  he  took  twenty  Indians  and  some  horses  to  conduct  him  to  the 
missionary  establishment  of  St.  John  tlio  Baptist,  two  leagues  west 
of  tlie  llio  Bravo.  Captain  llaimond,  the  commandant  of  tliis  post, 
informed  the  Duke  de  I.iignares,  Viceroy  of  Mexico,  of  the  arrival 
of  M.  de  Saint  Denis,  and  of  his  approaching  marriage  with  his  niece. 
The  Viceroy  sent  orders  for  M.  de  Saint  Denis  to  repair  immediately 
to  Mexico,  where  he  arrived  on  the  25th  June,  1715.  He  agreed  with 
M.  de  Saint  Denis  to  accompany  nine  missionaries  who  were  going  to 


t 


*  See  the  Mimoire  ilc  M.  dc  Ifir/u/Hnins  siir  la  premiere  guerre  <lcs  Nalc/iez, 
at  the  end  of  this  volume,  for  the  details  of  this  war. 


'I 


i. 


i 


1 


t. 


ESTABLISHMENT    OF    THE    FRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


47 


establish  tlicmsclvos  among  the  Allays,  Nachodochcs,  Youays.  Assi- 
nays,  Natchitoches  and  Nadacos,  in  the  province  of  Lastekas.  On 
tlio"2Gth  October,  lie  loft  Mexico  on  tliis  expedition,  and  visited  Saint 
Louis  de  Potosi,  Saint  Louis  do  la  Paz.  Cliarcas,  Saltillo,  Boca  de 
Leon,  and  Saint  John  the  Baptist,  on  tlie  liio  del  Norte  (Bravo), 
where  he  was  raarrricd.  On  the  4th  June,  17 1().  he  returned  to  the 
Assinays,  and  on  the  '^.jtli  August,  he  arrived  at  Mobile. 

In  October,  jMM.  de  Saint  Denis.  Gravcline,  de  le  Hoy,  La  Frc- 
niero.  Boaulleu,  Freres,  Derbaune,  (all  Canadians.)  formed  a  com- 
mercial co-partnersliip.  They  purcliased  from  the  stores  of  M. 
Orozat  sixty  thousand  livros  of  merchandise,  to  sell  to  the  Spaniards 
in  the  kingdom  of  New  Leon;  and  on  the  10th  October  they  set  out 
from  ^Mobile  to  go  to  Mexico.  In  the  n)onth  of  January,  1717.  M. 
de  la  3Iothe  Cadillac  sent  a  sergeant  and  six  soldiers  to  take  posses- 
sion of  the  post  at  Natchitoclies,  on  lied  River,  which  the  Spaniards 
were  about  to  seize.  On  tlie  9th  March,  two  of  the  King's  ships.  Le 
Dur/i/s  and  Lr  Pao//.  both  of  thirty  guns,  commanded  by  MM.  do 
Oodeville  and  Dusant-Sentille.  anchored  off  Dauphin  Island.  They 
brought  M.  de  L'Epinay  a  commissiou  to  succeed  M.  de  la  Mothe 
Cadillac  as  Governor  of  the  colony,  and  M.  Hubert  to  succeed  M. 
Duclo.s  as  Commissairc  Ordonnatcur,  which  ever}'  one  regretted  ; 
also  three  companies  of  Infantry,  commanded  by  MM.  Aruths  de 
Bonil,  de  Loze  and  Gouris,  and  fifty  other  per.sons.  among  whom  were 
MM.  Artagnette.  Dubreuil,  Guenot,  Trefontaine,  and  Mossy,  all  of 
whom  came  to  establish  colonies  in  Louisiana. 

M.  de  L'Epinay  brouglit  M.  de  Bieville  the  cross  of  Saint  Louis. 
It  is  very  remarkable  that  the  commander  of  the  "  Paon,"  who  liad 
lately  entered  the  port  of  Dauj)]iin  Island  by  a  cliannel  of  twenty-one 
feet  of  water,  discovered  in  two  days  after  that  it  had  changed,  and 
he  was  compelled  to  unload  and  go  out  by  the  Grand  Gosier  Chan- 
nel, which  had  only  a  depth  of  ten  feet  But  what  was  still  more 
remarkable,  tliat  this  channel,  which  had  closed  up  so  suddenly,  had 
always  maintained  the  same  depth  of  water  from  its  di.'^covery  by  M. 
d'Iberville  in  1090  to  the  present  time.  In  the  month  of  June,  the 
ships  "  Le  Duclos,"  '•  Le  Paon,"  and  •'  Le  Paix.''  sailed  for  Franco. 

The  arrival  of  31.  de  L'Epinay  created  great  dissatisfaction,  as  he 
caused  some  reguL'itions  to  be  enforced,  contrary  to  tlie  wishes  of  M. 
do  Bienville.  This  di.ssen,sion  between  tlie  higli  officers  of  the  colony 
was  extremely  prejudicial  to  its  prosperity. 

On  the  2,'5th,  October  MM.  Gravcline.  Derbanne,  La  Freniere, 
and  Beaulieu  arrived  from  the  Bio  (Bravo)  del  Norte.  They  had  set 
out  with  M.  de  Saint  Denis  in  the  mouth  of  October,  1710,  with  the 


\} 


I  111 


;'■! 


Ill 


.,'\ 


I   : 


I 


I       >li: 


I:::       1 


48 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


intention  of  trading  with  the  natives  of  New  Leon.  They  arrived  at 
Natchitoches  on  the  2;jth  November,  where  they  purchased  some 
horses,  and  on  the  25th  December  they  reached  one  of  the  villages 
of  the  Adayes.  From  the  29th  December  to  the  4th  January,  1717, 
they  travelled  eighteen  leagues  through  a  country  abounding  in  game. 
On  the  Gth,  they  crossed  the  river  Adayes  and  slept  in  the  village  of 
the  Ayiches,  where  they  found  a  Spanish  mission-house  established, 
consisting  of  two  priests,  three  soldiers,  and  a  female.  The  country 
was  interspersed  with  bcau*iful  prairies,  and  watered  by  several 
streams.  From  the  12th  to  the  loth,  they  travelled  nineteen  leagues 
and  slept  at  the  mission-station  of  Nachodochcs,  where  they  found 
four  priests,  two  soldiers,  and  a  Spanish  woman.  From  the  18th  to 
the  21st,  they  travelled  nine  leagues  to  the  Assinays  or  Cenis,  where 
they  found  two  priests,  one  soldier,  and  a  Spanish  woman. 

At  ie  Presidio,  which  was  seventeen  leagues  farther  on,  they 
met  a  captain,  ensign  and  twenty-five  soldiers.  On  the  22d,  they 
crossed  two  rivers,  and  at  a  distance  of  ten  leagues  farther,  they 
passed  the  last  mission-station  of  the  Assinays  or  Cenis,  which  con- 
sisted of  two  priests  and  several  soldiers,  who  furnished  them  with  a 
relay  of  horses.  From  the  23d  to  the  24th,  they  travelled  eighteen 
leagues  to  Trinity  Eiver,  where  they  rested.  From  the  2r)th  to  the 
28th,  they  advanced  twenty-four  leagues  to  the  riricfc  dcs  Irriipiais^ 
where  they  saw  a  great  herd  of  wild  Buffaloes.  On  the  next  day 
they  crossed  the  river,  which  has  two  branches,  and  slept  at  night  in 
a  village  of  the  same  name.  From  the  20th  to  the  8tli  April,  they 
travelled  thirty-six  leagues,  and  crossed  a  desert  to  the  river  Colo- 
rfido.  Here  they  were  attacked  by  sixty  Indians  on  horseback,  who 
were  covered  with  Buffalo  skins,  and  armed  with  bows  and  lances. 
The  conflict  was  soon  ended  ;  but  in  their  retreat  the  Indians  threw 
themselves  upon  their  rear  guard,  and  carried  off'  twenty-three  mules, 
one  of  which  was  loaded  with  all  their  wearing  apparel. 

On  the  11th,  they  made  nine  leagues  and  forded  the  river  Saint 
Marks.  On  the  next  day  they  crossed  two  branches  of  the  river 
Guadaloupc.  From  the  13th  to  the  14th,  they  travelled  thirteen 
leagues,  and  forded  the  rivers  St.  Anthony  and  Madeline.  From 
the  I5th  to  the  I'.itli.  they  travelled  twenty-seven  leagues  to  the 
riviere  aiix  Nolx.  From  the  20th  to  the  2l3t,  they  travelled  to  the 
river  Dcl-Nortc  (Rio  Grande);  and  two  leagues  to  the  west  of 
which  they  arrived  at  the  Presidio^  where  they  found  a  captain,  lieu- 
tenant, and  thirty  Spanish  soldiers.  In  tliis  place  was  establi.shed 
the  missions  of  Saint  Bernard  and  Saint  John  the  Baptist.  Their 
bouses  were  built  around  a  S(iuare,  which  formed  their  fortresa 


'^  j; 


i  i^ll      iM 


ESTADLISHMENT    OF    THE    FRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


49 


Thcso  missionary  stations  are  situated  about  two  hundred  and  four- 
teen leagues  from  Natchitoches,  in  latitude  20o  10''.  Here  M3I. 
Gravcline  and  Derbannc  learned  that  the  merchandise  brought  by 
M.  de  Saint  Denis  had  been  seized  by  M.  Ilaimond,  Commandant  of 
the  Post,  and  that  he  had  gone  to  Mexico  to  have  them  restored  to 
him. 

This  news  compelled  them  to  intrust  the  goods  they  had  brought 
with  them  to  the  Franciscan  fathers,  who  sold  them  by  degrees  to 
the  merchants  of  Bocade  Leon.  On  the  1st  September,  they  heard 
of  the  imprisonment  of  M.  de  Saint  Denis,  which  obliged  them  soon 
after  to  set  out  for  Mobile,  where  they  arrived  on  tlie  2"')th  October, 
1717.  They  visited  on  their  route  a  Spanish  mission  on  the  Adayes, 
St.  Mk-M-Archange  de  Lignares.  which  was  founded  on  the  "iOth 
January,  1717,  by  the  Reverend  Father  Augustin,  Patron  de  Guz- 
man of  the  order  of  Franciscans. 

'  In  the  month  of  Augnst,  1717,  a  company  was  formed  in  France 
under  the  title  of  the  "  Western  Company."*     At  this  period  tL  re 


*  LKTTEIl.S  PATENT  GRANTED   TO  TFIE  WESTERN  COMPANY. 

Louis,  by  tlic  grace  of  God,  of  Franco  and  Navarre  Kiii^,  to  all  to  whom 
these  our  present  lutturs  shall  come,  Grketinij  : 

From  tlie  tiiuo  of  our  acct'ssion  to  the  crown,  we  have  been  successfully  on- 
gaged  iu  establishing  good  order  in  our  finances,  and  in  reforming  the  abuses 
which  long-protracted  wars  had  caused  in  them;  nor  hav<!  we  \y,\\i\  less  atten- 
tion to  the  restoration  of  the  trade  of  our  subjects  which  contributes  tu  their 
prosperity  as  much  as  the  good  administration  of  our  linaiices.  But  having 
taken  cognisance  of  the  state  of  our  colonies  situated  in  tho  northern  parts  of 
America,  we  have  remained  satisfied  that  they  were  so  much  the  more  in  need 
of  our  protection.  INI.  Anthony  Crozat,  to  whom  the  late  King,  our  most 
honored  lord  and  great  grandfather,  liad,  by  letters  patent  of  the  month  of  Sep- 
tember, 1712.  granted  the  privilege  of  exclusive  trade  in  our  govenunent  of 
Louisiana,  having  luimbly  imiyed  that  wo  miglit  allow  him  to  resign  it,  which 
wo  did  allow  him  by  the  order  of  our  council  of  tho  20d  of  the  present  month 
of  August,  and  the  contract  made  with  Messrs.  Aubert,  Neret  and  (Juyot,  on 
the  lUth  of  ^lay,  ITOtl,  for  the  trade  in  beaver  of  Canada,  expiring  at  the  end 
of  the  i)resent  year ;  Wo  have  thought  lit,  for  tho  good  of  our  service  and  the 
advantage  of  both  colonies,  to  establish  a  company  cajjablo  of  ui)lu)lding  their 
trade  and  of  undertaking  the  dill'en'Ut  species  of  bu.sbandry  and  plantations 
that  may  bo  established  there  :  Wherefore,  and  for  other  reasons  us  thereto  in- 
ducing, by  and  with  tho  advice  of  our  dearly-beloved  uncle,  the  Duki-  of  Or- 
leans Regent,  Pcl'd  /its  dc  France,  of  our  dearly-beloved  cousin  the  Dulio  of 
Bourbon,  of  our  dearly-beloved  cousin  tho  Prince  of  Conty,  princes  of  our 
blood,  of  our  dearly-beloved  uncle  the  Duke  of  Maine,  of  our  dearly-beloved 
uncle  the  Count  of  Toulouse,  legitimated  princes,  and  other  peers  of  Franco, 
grandees  and  notable  persons  of  our  kingdom,  and  by  our  certain  knowledge 
and  royal  authority  wo  have  said,  detonuined  and  ordained,  do  say,  determmo 
and  ordain,  it  is  our  will  and  pleasure, 


aJ  •!;! 


W  ' 


M I 


■;:•  iii:      i 
i),r  M 


50 


IIISTORICAI.    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


were  in  tlio  colony  seven  hundrctl  persons,  and  four  hundred  head  of 
cattle.  They  liad  entirely  neglected  to  cultivate  the  land.  The 
garrison  and  inhabitants  continued  to  trade  with  the  Indians  and 

I.  Tliat  thoru  be  formed,  by  virtui!  of  tlicse  present  letters,  a  trading  com- 
pany by  the  style  of  Wcskni,  Company,  in  whicli  it  shall  be  allowed  to  all  our 
subjects,  of  whatever  rank  and  quality  they  may  be,  as  well  as  to  all  other 
comjianies  formed  or  to  be  formed,  and  to  all  bodies  and  corporations,  to  take 
an  interest  for  such  sum  or  sums  as  they  may  think  fit,  and  they  shall  not,  on 
account  of  the  said  en<fagements,  be  considered  as  having  degraded  their  titles, 
quality  or  nobility;  our  intention  being  that  they  may  enjoy  the  beiielit  ex- 
pressed in  our  jiroclamations  of  the  months  of  May  and  August,  Iflfil,  August, 
lOG'J,  and  December,  1701,  which  shall  be  exi;cuted  according  to  their  form  and 
tenor. 

II.  We  grant  to  the  said  company,  for  the  space  of  twenty-five  years,  bi'gin- 
ning  from  the  day  of  the  registration  of  these  i)resent  letters,  the  exclusive 
right  of  trading  in  our  province  and  government  of  Louisiana,  and  also  the 
privilege  of  receiving,  to  the  exclusion  of  all  other  persons,  in  our  colony  of 
Canada,  from  the  1st  of  January.  171^*,  until  and  including  the  last  day  of  De- 
cember, 17 1-  all  the  beaver,  fat  and  dry,  which  the  inhabitants  of  the  said 
colony  shall  have  traded  for,  whilst  we  shall  regulate,  according  to  the  accounts 
which  shall  be  sent  over  to  us  from  the  saiil  country,  the  quantities  of  the  dif- 
ferent sorts  of  beaver,  that  the  company  shall  be  bound  to  receive  each  year 
from  the  .said  inhabitants  of  Canada,  and  the  prices  they  shall  be  bound  to  pay 
for  them, 

III.  We  forbid  all  our  other  subjects  any  sort  of  trade,  within  the  limits  of  the 
government  of  Louisiana,  as  long  as  the  charter  of  the  Western  Comjiany  .shall 
last,  upon  ])ain  of  forfeiture  of  gooii.;  htuI  vessels;  not  intending,  however,  by 
the  present  jirohibition.  to  put  any  restraint  upon  their  trading  within  the  said 
colony,  either  among  themselves  or  with  the  savages, 

IV.  We  forbid  likewi,se  all  our  subjects  to  buy  any  beaver  within  the  limits  of 
the  government  of  Canada,  with  a  view  to  import  in  our  kingdom,  ui)on  ])ain 
of  forfeiture  of  the  said  beaver  to  the  conqjany,  as  also  the  vessels  on  l)oard  of 
wliich  it  shall  be  laden.  The  beaver  ti'ade  shall  nevertheless  remain  free  in  the 
interior  of  the  colony  between  the  merchants  and  the  inhabitants,  who  may 
continue  to  sell  and  buy  beaver  as  they  have  done  heretofore. 

V.  Wit'  a  view  to  give  the  said  Western  Company  the  means  of  forming  a 
firm  establishment,  and  enable  lier  to  execute  all  the  speculations  she  may 
undertake,  we  have  given,  granted  and  conceded,  (b)  give,  grant  and  concede 
to  her.  by  tlicse  present  letters  and  for  ever,  all  the  lands,  coasts,  ports,  havens 
and  islands,  which  compose  our  province  of  Louisiana,  in  the  same  way  and 
extent  as  we  have  granted  them  to  M.  Crozat,  by  our  letters  patent  of  14th 
September,  1712,  to  enjoy  the  same  in  full  property,  seigniory  and  jurisdiction, 
keeping  to  ourselves  no  other  rights  or  duties  than  the  fealty  and  liege  homage 
the  said  coiiqiany  shall  be  bounil  to  pay  us  and  to  the  kings  our  successors  at 
every  new  reign,  with  a  golden  crown  of  the  weight  of  thirty  marks. 

VI.  The  said  company  shall  be  free,  in  the  said  granted  lands,  to  negotiate 
and  make  alliance  in  our  name,  with  all  the  nations  of  the  land,  exc(!pt  those 
which  are  dependent  on  the  other  powers  of  Euiopc:  she  may  agree  with  them 


ESTAnHSHMENT    OF    THE    FRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


51 


the  Spaniards  at  Pcnsacola,  which  proJuecd  a  revenue  of  about 
$12,000  per  annum.  This  trade  being  considered  very  prejudicial 
to  the  prosperity  of  the  colony,  it  was  proposed  to  form  plantations 

on  sucli  conditions  as  she  may  tliink  (it,  to  settle  among  them,  ami  trade  (Veely 
with  tlieiii,  anil  in  case  they  insult  her.  she  may  declare  war  a;;aiii.st  tiiem,  at- 
tack them  or  defend  herself  hy  niean.s  of  arms,  and  negotiate  Avith  them  for 
peace  or  for  a  truce. 

VII.  The  iir()i)erty  of  all  mini's  the  said  eomjiany  may  open  durinirthe  time 
lier  ciiarter  lasts,  shall  helong  to  lier  by  length  of  possession,  and  she  sJiall  not 
be  bound  to  j)ay  us  during  the  said  time,  for  the  said  mines,  and  right  of  sove- 
reignty, whereof  wo  have  made  and  do  make  her  a  free  gift,  by  thi'se  present 
letters. 

VIII.  The  said  company  shall  be  free  to  sell  and  give  away  the  lands  granted 
to  her  for  whatever  (juit  or  grinind  rent  she  may  think  tit.  and  even  to  grant 
them  in  freehold,  without  jurisdietion  or  seigniory  ;  she  shall  not,  however,  be 
at  liberty  to  disi)ossess  such  of  our  subjects  as  are  already  settled  in  the  lands 
granted  to  her,  of  such  lands  as  have  been  granted  to  them,  or  which  without 
special  grant  they  may  have  begun  to  eli'ar  and  cultivate.  It  is  our  will  that 
such  among  them  as  have  no  grants  or  letters  of  us.  be  bound  to  take  grants  of 
the  company,  so  as  to  insure  to  them  the  property  of  the  land  they  enjoy, 
which  grants  shall  be  delivered  to  them  free  of  all  ex])enses. 

IX.  The  said  company  shall  be  at  liberty  to  construct  all  such  forts,  castles 
and  strongholds  as  she  may  lind  nec(;ssary  for  the  defence  of  the  lands  we  have 
granted  to  her,  garrison  them  and  raise  soldiers  in  our  kingdom,  after  having 
taken  our  commission  in  the  usual  and  accustomed  form. 

X.  The  said  comi)any  shall  be  at  liberty  to  establish  such  govrnors,  offi- 
cers, majors  and  others  as  they  may  think  lit,  to  command  the  troo])s.  and  the  said 
governors  and  major-officers  shall  be  presented  to  us  by  the  directors  of  the 
comi)any.  in  order  that  we  may  deliver  to  them  our  commissions  •' and  the  said 
company  shall  be  at  liberty  to  dismiss  them  as  often  as  they  shall  think  lit  and 
put  others  in  their  place,  to  whom  we  shall  likewi.se  deliver  oiw  connnissions 
without  any  dilliculty ;  and  in  the  mean  while,  the  said  officers  may  command 
for  the  space  of  six  months  or  a  year  at  most,  under  the  connnissions  of  tho 
directors ;  and  the  governors  and  major-ollicers  shall  be  bound  to  take  the  oath 
of  allegiance  to  us. 

XI.  We  allow  all  our  military  oflicers  who  are  at  present  in  our  government 
of  Louisiana  and  who  may  wish  to  remain  theie.  as  also  those  who  may  wish 
to  go  there  anil  serve  as  captains  and  subalterns,  to  serve  under  the  company's 
commissions,  without  losing  on  that  account  the  rank  or  degree  they  actually 
enjoy,  either  in  our  fleet  or  in  our  army,  and  it  is  our  will  that  in  conse(|uenco 
of  the  i)ei-niission  thereto  that  we  shall  deliver  to  them,  they  may  be  considered 
and  accounted  as  still  in  our  ser\'ice,  and  we  shall  take  into  consideration  their 
servicer  under  the  said  company  as  if  it  had  been  rendered  to  ourselves. 

XII.  The  said  company  shall  likewise  be  free  to  fit  out  and  arm  for  war  as 
many  ships  as  she  may  think  fit,  for  the  increase  and  security  of  her  trade,  and 
to  i)lace  in  them  as  many  guns  as  she  jileases,  and  to  hoist  the  flag  o?i  the  hind- 
castle  and  the  bowsprit,  but  on  no  other  mast;  slie  shall  also  be  at  liberty  to 
cast  cannons  and  mark  them  with  our  arms,  under  which  she  shall  put  those 
we  shall  grant  her  hereafter, 


i,.| 


I 


i      ,   1- 


li   i; 
;  ii 


i    i 


I, 


1 

i  '  ! 


52 


inaTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OP    LOUKSIANA. 


on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi  to  cultivato  tobacco,  rice,  silk,  and 
indigo,  as  well  as  to  furnish  masts,  pitch,  and  tar  to  Franco  and  the 
West  India  Islands.     The  affairs  of  the  colony  wore  in  this  situation 

XIII.  Tho  said  company  boiiijs:  lord  of  tlio  manor  in  tho  lands  fjrantcd  to 
her,  ^sllall  bo  at  lili(!rty  to  ('stal)li.sli  justices  and  otlieers  wherever  slic  may  think 
lit,  to  (U'])osi!  and  dismiss  them  as  f)ft('n  as  she  pleases;  the  said  Justices  to  tako 
cognisance  of  all  suits  of])olice  and  trade,  civil  and  criminal ;  and  also  to  estab- 
lish wherever  ne(!d  may  be  soveri'i^^n  councils,  the  members  of  wliieh  shall  bo 
named  and  jjresentcd  to  us  by  the  directors  jjcneral  of  the  said  comiiany,  and 
after  the  said  nominations  wo  shall  deliver  to  them  their  commissions. 

XIV.  Tlie  ,iudi!;es  of  the  admiralty  which  shall  be  established  in  the  said 
province  (jf  Louisiana,  shall  jierfbrm  the  same  functions,  administer  justice  in 
tho  same  form  and  take  cognisance  of  the  same  suits  as  those  who  are  estab- 
lished in  our  kingdom  and  other  parts  of  our  dominions,  and  they  shall  receive 
their  commissions  from  us,  after  bein;;^  named  by  the  lord  hijjh  Admiral  of 
France. 

XV.  The  judges  establislu'd  in  all  the  said  places  .shall  bo  l)ound  to  admi- 
nister justice  according  to  the  laws  and  statutes  of  the  kingdom,  and  more 
particularly  according  to  tho  common  law  of  tho  provosty  and  viscounty  of 
Paris,  which  shall  bo  followed  in  all  the  contracts  tho  inhabitants  shall  pass, 
and  no  other  law  shall  be  allowed  to  be  introduced,  to  avoid  variety. 

XVI.  All  law  suits  that  may  spring  up  in  France  between  the  company  and 
the  i)rivate  ])eopIe  on  accoutit  of  transactions  concerning  her,  shall  be  decided 
and  determini'd  by  the  judges  of  trade  in  Paris,  the  decrees  of  whom  shall  be 
executed  without  appeal  for  any  sum  not  exceeding  one  hundred  and  fifty 
livres,  and  for  higher  sums  they  sliall  be  executed  provisionally  with  right  of 
api>eal  to  our  court  of  parliament  in  Paris.  And  regarding  criminal  suits  in 
which  the  eomi)any  shall  be  a  party,  either  as  plaintiff  or  as  defendant,  they 
shall  be  determined  by  the  ordinary  judges,  without  allowing  any  encroach- 
ment of  the  criminal  over  tho  civil  suit,  which  shall  be  determined  as  above. 

XVII.  We  shall  grant  no  letter  or  resi^ito,  supersedeas  or  certioiari,  to  any 
persons  who  shall  buy  goods  of  the  company,  and  they  shall  bo  conii)elled  to 
pay  their  debt  by  the  means  and  in  the  way  they  have  engaged  to  do  it. 

XVI If.  "We  promise  to  jiroteet  and  defend  the  said  company,  and  to  employ 
the  force  fif  our  arms,  if  it  be  necessary,  in  order  to  maintain  her  in  tho  full 
freedom  of  her  trade  and  navigation  ;  as  likewise  to  see  that  justice  bt;  done  to 
her  for  all  the  injury  or  ill  treatment  she  may  suffer  from  any  natio!i  whatever. 
XIX.  In  case  any  director,  sea  captain,  officer,  clerk  or  agent,  while  trans- 
acting business  for  the  comjiany,  should  be  taken  prisoner  by  the  subjects  of 
tho  princes  or  states  with  whom  wc  may  be  at  war,  we  promise  to  get  them  re- 
leased or  exchanged. 

'  XX.  It  shall  not  be  allowed  to  the  said  company  to  make  nse.  for  her  trade, 
of  any  other  vessels  but  those  belonging  to  her  or  to  our  subjects,  fitted  out  in 
the  ])orts  of  our  kingdom,  manned  with  French  crews,  and  they  shall  be  bound 
to  retiirn  to  our  ports  ;  neither  shall  it  be  allowed  her  to  send  the  said  vessels 
direct  from  the  lands  granted  her.  to  the  coast  of  Guinea,  upon  i)ain  of  forfei- 
ture of  the  present  privilege,  and  confiscation  of  tho  vessels  and  the  goods 
laden  theroin. 


in 


of 
rc- 

ido, 
in 
ind 
uls 
foi- 
ods 


ESTABHSHMENT    OF    THE    FRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA.  bO 

on  the  '.Hh  February,  1718,  wlioii  throe  ships  of  the  "  Wostorn  Com- 
pany," '•  l>aupliiiie,"  "  Vigihviit,"  and  "  Neptune,"  coninianded  by 
MM.  Dupuis,  Arnaudin,  and  IJeranger,  arrived  at  Dauphin  Island. 

XXI.  Wo  allow  nil  vossols  l)olon;;iii<,'  to  tlio  siiiil  conijiany,  nnd  tlioso  of  our 
subjoots,  who  sliiill  luivo  rocoivod  iiurmiNsion  of  lior  or  lior  diivotois.  to  ohaso 
and  oapluro  tlio  vossoIm  of  our  siilijoots  wlio  shall  prosnino  to  tiado  in  tlio  lands 
grantoil  to  lior,  oontrary  to  tho  toiior  of  the  prcsont  lottors;  and  the  ]ni/os shall 
Lo  awai<lod  acoordinjito  tho  roy;iilati(jiis  wo  shall  niako  in  that  rospcot. 

XXII.  All  goods,  morchandi.so,  i»rovisions  and  uniniunition,  ladon  on  the 
conii)aiiy's  vossols  shall  ho  oonsidciod  as  holoiij^ing  to  her,  uiilo.ss  it  aiijicar  by 
bills  of  holing,  in  diu'  form,  that  they  have  bcon  taken  on  board  for  faight,  by 
the  orders  I'l'  tho  company,  her  directors  or  agents. 

XXIII  It  is  our  ploa.suro  that  such  of  our  .subjocts  as  sliall  go  over  to  the 
lands  gr.iiitod  to  tho  said  company,  onjoy  tho  sanio  liberties  and  inuimnitles  as 
if  they  had  remained  living  in  our  kingdom,  and  that  those  who  shall  be  born 
there  of  Fronoh  iidiabitants  of  tho  .said  lands,  and  even  of  foreign  Europeans, 
professing  the  Roman  Catholic  religion,  who  may  come  to  settle  there,  be  con- 
sidered and  reputed  as  inhabitants  of  our  kingdom,  and  as  such  oapablo  of  in- 
heriting and  receiving  gifts,  l^ji^acios  and  other  advantages  without  being  bound 
to  take  U'tters  of  free  denization. 

XXIV.  And  in  order  to  favor  such  of  our  subjects  as  shall  settle  within  the 
said  lands,  we  have  doolared  and  declare  them,  as  long  as  the  charter  of  tho 
Comi)any  last.s,  free  of  all  duties,  subsidies  and  taxes  whatever,  a.s  well  on  their 
persons  and  those  of  their  slaves  as  on  their  merchandise. 

XXV.  The  goods  and  m.:'chandise  which  the  said  company  shall  have 
sliii)pod  for  tho  lands  granted  to  her,  and  tho.se  of  which  she  may  stand  in  need 
for  building,  outlitting  and  vi(;tualling  her  vessels,  shall  bo  free  of  all  duties,  as 
well  towards  n.s  as  towards  our  towns,  levied  at  present  or  that  may  be  levied 
in  tho  future,  on  irai)ortation  or  on  exportation,  and  although  they  should  go 
out  of  one  of  our  farmed  revenues  to  enter  into  another,  or  from  one  of  our 
ports  to  be  transferred  to  another  where  the  outlittitig  takes  place,  jirovided, 
howevei'  the  clerks  and  agents  of  the  comjjany  do  sign  an  engagenu'nt  to  bring 
back,  within  eighteen  months,  a  cortiiicate  of  delivery  in  the  I'ountry  to  which 
they  weie  bt)und,  upon  pain,  in  case  they  fail  so  to  do,  of  paying  four  times  the 
duty,  reserving  to  ourselves  the  right  of  allowing  them  a  longer  term  in  such 
cases  and  cirt'umstancos  as  wo  shall  think  lit. 

XXVI.  We  declare  likewise  the  said  company  frc;;  of  the  duties  of  toll, 
crossing,  passage  and  other  taxes  levied  to  our  profit  on  tho  rivers  Seine  and 
Loire,  on  empty  casks,  rafters  and  other  wood,  vessels  and  other  goods,  belong- 
ing to  the  said  company,  provided  they  send  back  by  the  wagoners  and  barge- 
men certificates  signed  by  two  directors. 

XXVII.  In  case  the  said  company  should  bo  obliged  <br  the  advantage  of 
her  trade  to  draw  from  foreign  countries  goods  to  be  imported  in  the  lands 
granted  to  her,  the  said  goods  shall  bo  free  of  all  importation  or  exportation 
duties,  provided  they  be  deposited  in  o\ir  custom-house,  warehonses.  or  in  those 
of  the  said  company,  of  which  tho  clerks  of  tho  general  farmers  of  our  reve- 
nues and  those  of  the  said  company,  of  which  the  clerks  of  the  general  farmers 
of  our  revenues  and  those  of  the  said  company  shall  each  have  a  key,  until 


!:• 


■In' 


'I 


Mk 


\  I 


64 


IlISTORICAIi    COIiLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


I         I 


They  brought  over  M.  dc  IJoLsbrilliant,  the  King's  Lieutenant  of  the 
proviiR'c.  M.  do  L'Kpinay  was  recalled,  and  IM.  do  Bienville  was 
appointed  Uovcrnor  General,  with  a  salary  of  0,000  livrcs  per  annum. 


such  time  ns  the  said  goods  shall  be  laden  in  tlie  ooiniiany's  vi'sscls ;  tlio  said 
comi)any  hdug  bound  to  sign  an  cniMgc  jnt  to  dcliviT  within  tlic  space  of 
eiglitfcn  months,  from  the  date  of  tin-  cngagcnifnt,  ecrtilicatus  of  tlii'  unload- 
ing of  the  said  goods  in  the  lands  granted  to  Ikt;  in  default  whereof  she  shall 
be  bound  to  pay  four  times  the  value  of  the  duty,  reserving  to  ourselves  the 
right,  whenever  the  company  shall  be  in  need  of  drawing  from  the  said  foreign 
countries,  goods  of  which  the  importation  might  be  i)rohibited,  to  grant  her 
special  leave  of  importation,  if  we  think  lit,  lor  any  such  goods  contained  in 
the  list  to  he  submitted  to  our  ajiprobation. 

XXVIII,  The  goods  imported  by  the  said  company  for  her  account,  from 
the  lands  granted  to  her  in  the  ports  of  our  kingdom,  shall  pay.  during  the 
lirst  tt'U  years  of  her  charter,  the  half  only  of  the  duty  which  such  ;;oods  com- 
ing from  the  French  islands  and  colonies  in  America,  nuist  pay,  according  to 
our  regulation  of  the  month  of  Ajiril  last  past ;  and  if  the  said  company  should 
imi>ort  from  the  said  lands  granted  to  her,  other  sorts  of  goods  than  those  that 
come  from  the  French  islands  and  colonies  in  America  and  are  contained  in  our 
said  regulations,  they  shall  ])ay  the  half  oidy  of  the  duty  that  goods  of  the 
same  sort  and  ([uality,  coming  from  foreign  countries  must  i)ay,  whether  the 
said  duty  belongs  to  us  or  has  been  by  us  nuule  over  to  private  j)crsons;  and  as 
for  lead,  cojipcr  and  other  nuitals,  we  have  granted  and  do  grant,  to  the  said 
comjjany,  entire  freedom  of  all  duties  laid  or  to  be  laid  upon  them.  Hut  if  the 
said  com|)any  takes  goods  upon  freight  in  her  vessels,  she  shall  be  boiuid  to  let 
the  same  be  declared,  by  her  captains,  at  the  ollices  of  our  farms,  in  the  usual 
form  and  the  said  goods  shall  pay  the  full  duty.  In  regard  to  such  goods  aa 
the  conii)any  shall  import  in  those  ports  of  our  kingdom,  named  in  tin.'  loth 
article  of  the  regulations  of  the  month  of  April  last  past,  and  likewise  in  those 
of  Nantz,  Brest,  JMorlais  and  St,  Malo.  Ibr  her  account,  as  well  from  the  lands 
granted  to  her  as  from  the  French  islands  in  America,  proceeding  from  the  sale 
of  goods,  the  product!  of  Louisiana,  and  intended  for  re-exportation  to  foreign 
countries,  they  shall  be  deposited  in  the  custom  hou,se,  warehouses  of  the  ports 
at  which  they  arrive,  or  in  those  of  the  comjiany,  in  the  form  hereabove  pre- 
scribed, until  they  be  taken  away  ;  aiid  when  the  clerks  of  the  said  company 
shall  wish  to  send  them  abroad,  by  sea  or  land,  as  transit  goods,  which  can 
only  take  place  through  the  ofHces  named  in  our  regulation  of  last  month,  they 
shall  he  bound  to  take  a  pass  {ucquil  a  caution)  containing  iin  engagement  to 
bring  back,  within  a  certain  time,  a  certilicate  of  the  last  frontier  oi'^'ce  they 
pass,  and  another  of  their  unlading  in  a  foreign  country. 

XXIX,  h'  the  company  construct  vessels  in  the  lands  granted  to  her,  we 
consent  to  pay  to  her,  as  a  bounty,  out  of  our  royal  treasury,  the  liist  time  the 
said  vessels  enter  into  the  ports  of  our  kingdom,  a  sum  of  six  livres  per  tun, 
for  all  vessels  not  below  two  hundred  tuns  burthen,  and  of  nine  livres  also,  per 
tun,  for  those  not  below  two  hundred  and  fifty  tuns,  which  shall  be  paid  on 
delivery  of  certificates  of  the  directors  of  the  company  in  the  said  lands,  show- 
ing that  the  said  vessels  have  been  built  there. 

XXX,  We  give  the  said  company  leave  to  deliver  special  licenses  to  vessels 


3els 


ESTADM3HMENT    OF    TIIK    FRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


55 


M.  Hubert,  Director-General,  with  a  salary  of  r),0()()  livres  per 
anmiiii.  Agreeably  to  the  instructions  of  the  Western  (Jonipany, 
M.  do  IJienvillc  sent  a  detachment  of  fifty   soldiers,  under  the  com- 

of  our  sulijocts  to  trade  in  the  liiuds  ji^ninted  to  her  iimhT  sneh  eoiiditioiis  as 
slie  niiiy  think  lit;  and  it  is  our  pleiiMire  tliat  tlie  said  vessels,  lu'iiiini;  lieeiises 
of  the  said  eunipany,  enjoy  the  siiine  ri,L;hts  i)rivile;ifesan(l  iniimiMitiis,  as  those 
of  the  eonipany,  as  well  on  the  stores,  nierehundise  and  j,'o(i(ls.  ihut  shall  be 
laden  in  tlieni,  as  on  the  merchandise  and  j^oods  they  shall  tiring  baeU. 

XXXI.  We  sliuU  deliver  to  the  sai<l  eoniiiany,  (jut  of  our  inajLTazincs,  every 
year  durini:  tlie  time  of  her  charter,  forty  tiioiisund  pounds  of  jjunpowder,  for 
which  we  shall  charge  hor  no  more  than  the  iirimc  cost. 

XXXII.  Our  intention  being  that  the  greatest  number  possible  of  our  sub- 
jects jiartieipate  in  tlie  trade  of  this  company  and  in  the  advantagi's  we  grant 
her,  and  that  all  sorts  of  persons  may  take  an  interest  according  to  their  for- 
tunes; it  is  our  pleasure  that  the  stock  of  this  company  be  divided  in  shares  of 
live  liundred  livres  each,  the  value  of  wliieh  sliall  be  paid  in  exehci|uer  bills, 
and  the  interest  bo  due  from  the  first  of  January  of  tlie  jiresent  year;  and  when 
the  directors  of  the  said  conii)any  shall  have  declared  tliat  a  sullieieiit  number 
of  shares  have  been  delivered,  we  shall  close  the  books  of  the  coniiiany. 

XXXIII.  The  certilicates  of  the  said  shares  shall  be  made  jiayable  to  the 
bearer,  signed  by  the  treasurer  of  the  eomiiany,  and  ajiproved  by  one  of  the 
directors.  Two  sorts  of  certificates  shall  bo  delivered,  viz :  certilicates  of 
single  shares  and  certificates  of  ten  shares. 

XXXIV.  Persons  who  may  wish  to  send  the  certificates  of  the  said  shares 
to  the  country  or  abroad,  may  for  greater  security  endorse  them,  but  the  said 
endorsement  shall  not  be  considered  as  warranting  the  share. 

XXXV.  All  foreigners  may  take  as  many  shares  as  they  may  think  fit, 
though  they  should  not  reside  ill  our  kiiigih.m;  and  wo  have  declared  and  do 
declare  that  the  shares  belonging  to  the  said  fon.'igners  shall  not  lie  subjt'ct  to 
the  right  of  auhainc,  nor  to  any  confiscation  for  cause  of  war  or  otiierwise,  it 
being  our  pleasure  that  they  enjoy  the  said  shares  as  fully  as  our  .subjects. 

XXXVI.  And  whereas  the  profits  and  lo.s.ses  in  trading  companies  are  im- 
certain.  and  the  shares  of  the  .said  company  can  be  considered  in  no  otJier 
liglit  than  as  merchandise,  we  jiermit  all  our  subjects  and  all  foreigners,  in  com- 
pany or  for  their  private  account,  to  buy,  sell  and  trade  in  them  as  they  shall 
think  (it. 

XXXVII.  Every  shareholder,  bearer  of  fifty  shares,  shall  have  a  vote  in  tlie 
court  of  })roprietors,  and  if  he  is  bearer  of  one  hundred  shares  ho  shall  have 
two  votes,  and  so  forth,  augmenting  the  number  of  votes  by  one  for  every  fifty 
shares. 

XXXVIII.  The  exchequer  bills  received  in  payment  for  the  shares  shall  be 
converted  in  a  stock,  bearing  four  per  cent,  interest,  the  said  interest  to  begin 
from  the  first  of  January  of  the  jiresent  year;  and  as  security  lor  the  payment 
of  the  said  interest,  we  have  pledged  and  assigned,  do  jiledgo  and  assign  our 
revenues  of  the  comptrol  of  notaries'  deeds,  of  the  small  seal  and  of  lay  regis- 
tration, in  consonuenco  whereof  the  commissioners  of  our  council,  that  we  shall 
name  to  that  end,  shall  make  in  our  name  and  in  favor  of  the  saiil  companj', 
bonds  for  a  perpetual  and  inheritable  annuity  of  forty  thousand  livres,  each 


ir 


\    >:'\ 


4    hi 


■<  ]  It 


"      ■( 


ir 


50 


HISTOniCAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


inand  of  31.  do  Cliatcaugue,  to  take  possession  of  St.  Joseph's  IJay, 
ami  to  construct  u  fort,  which  lie  left  in  the  coniniand  of  M.  do 
Clousy,  Captain  of  Infantry.  Twenty-iive  of  his  men  deserted  soon 
after  with  a  Spaniard  to  St.  Augustine,  Florida. 


ii     ! 


Jlji 


hotid  rcpivscntiiig  tlio  intorest  of  a  capital  of  one  million,  at  four  ])vr  cent,, 
agllin^t  tlif  (iniuico  receipts  tliiit  sliuU  he  ilclivcri'd  by  tlii'  trcasiiriTof  our  royal 
treasury,  in  odicc  this  prosent  year,  who  nIkiII  reci'ivo  from  the  Hiii<l  (/ompany 
one  million  of  cxeluMiiior  bill.s  nf  eiicli  payment,  until  the  moneys  deposited  for 
shares  in  the  said  company  shall  be  e.\liuusted. 

XXXIX.  The  interest  of  said  annuities  .shall  bo  j)aid,  viz.  the  interest  of  tho 
present  year,  in  the  (bur  last  months  of  the  year,  and  the  interest  of  the  Ibl- 
lowing  years  in  four  instalments,  (puirterly,  by  our  farmer  of  the  control  of 
notaries'  deeds,  small  seals  and  lay  registrations,  in  tho  hands  of  the  treasurer 
of  the  said  company,  who  shall  deliver  receipts  thereof,  approved  i)y  tliri'c  di- 
rectors, and,  for  the  lirst  time  only,  a  collated  copy  of  these  letters  and  of  their 
nominations. 

XL.  Tiic  directors  .shall  make  use,  for  the  trade  of  the  company,  of  the  inter- 
est of  the  present  year  on  the  bonds  delivered  in  favor  of  tlie  company;  but 
we  very  expressly  forbid  them  to  make  use  of  any  part  of  the  interest  of  tho 
foUowiu!^  years,  or  mortjijage  them  in  any  way  whatever ;  it  l)einjL:f  our  jileasuro 
that  the  proprietors  do  receive  regularly  the  interest  of  their  shares  at  the  rate 
of  four  per  cent,  a  year,  beginning  with  the  month  of  Jamiary  next  year,  and 
the  lirsi  payment  of  interest  to  take  place,  tor  six  months,  on  the  tirst  of  July 
following,  and  so  forth  every  six  months. 

XLl.  Whereas,  it  is  necessary  that  immediately  after  tho  registration  of 
these  i)resent  letters,  there  be  persons  who  take  charge  of  all  that  may  be  re- 
quired for  tlie  opening  of  the  books  and  other  particulars  inciilent  on  the  begin. 
ning  of  tlie  said  company,  which  will  bear  no  delay,  we  shall  name,  for  this 
time  only,  the  directors  we  shall  choose  to  that  effect,  who  shall  be  empowered 
to  regulate  and  administer  the  alliiirs  of  the  said  company,  the  iiroprietors  o' 
which  nuiy,  after  two  years  have  elniificd,  in  a  gcsneral  court,  nominate  three 
new  directors,  or  continue  them  for  three  years,  if  they  thiidc  fit,  and  so  forth 
every  three  years,  the  said  directors  to  be  chosen  only  among  Frenchmen  and 
inhaltitants  of  the  kingdom. 

XLII.  Every  year,  at  the  end  of  the  month  of  December,  the  directors  shall 
close  the  general  balance  of  the  all'airs  of  the  company,  after  wliich  they  sliali 
call,  by  bills  i)ublicly  stuck  up,  a  general  court  of  proprietors  of  the  said  com- 
pany, in  which  court  the  dividends  accruing  from  the  profits  of  the  said  com- 
pany, shall  be  fixed  and  settled. 

XLIII.  Considering  the  great  number  of  shares  that  will  be  delivered  by  the 
said  company,  we  find  necessary  to  establish,  for  the  ease  of  our  subjects,  a  re- 
gular order  for  the  payment  of  the  interest  and  dividend,  so  that  every  share- 
liolder  nuiy  know  what  day  lie  may  appear  at  the  ofHce  to  receive,  without  any 
delay,  the  sums  due  to  liim.  In  conseciuence,  it  is  our  pleasure  tliat  the  inter- 
est of  the  said  shares,  as  likewise  tlie  dividend  accruing  to  them  out  of  the 
profits  of  the  trade,  be  paid  according  to  tlie  number  of  the  said  shares,  be- 
ginning by  number  one  and  so  forth;  the  company  not  being  at  liberty  to  make 
any  alteration  iu  the  said  order,  and  every  week  the  directors  shall  cause  bills 


EaTADI.IrtllMKNT    ol'    TIIK    FRFNCII    IN    I.OinslANA. 


Ul 


In  Fobruary,  171!^,  M  do  llii'iivillc  sot  out  to  select  a  pliieo  on 
the  banks  of  tli<(  Mississipiii  t'nr  his  lieail  (jiiarter.s,  wliicli  now 
board  till!  naino  of  Ni.'W  Orleans,  ahout  thirty  leai^uus   from   tlu)  sea, 

to  lie  .stuck  up  lit  llie  clour  of  (lie  otlire  of  the  siiiil  e(iiii]i:iuy,  iiiiil  ailvirtlsc- 
niciits  iiiscrlcil  ill  tlie  piihlii'  iic'W.s|i;i|H'f.s  eoiitaiiiiii!,'  tliu  iiumlieis  that  uic  to  be 
pn'nl  ill  I  'i'  I'ollo  \  ii  '^  wee!;. 

XLIV.  Nejllier  the  >liafes  of  tlie  eoiniiMtiv,  iior  her  eir  .  Is.  nor  tlic  salaries 
of  tlie  iliicetoi's  ollicers  or  iiL;eiits  ot'  llie  siiiij  coni|iaiiy,  sluill  he  snhj'ct  to  dis- 
trcNs  hy  any  person  or  under  any  pretence  wiiiilever,  not  even  for  our  own 
moneys  aii'l  iill'.iirs.  exeeptiii;,'  only  tiiat  the  crciiitois  oC  the  siiareliol'li'is  shall 
bo  at  iilii  rty  to  attach  ill  the  liamls  ot' the  tii  asiircr  and  hook-keepi'r  of  the 
said  coiiipanv  the  nioiieys  due  to  the  s;ii(l  sharelinldrrs,  accoidini;  to  the  ac- 
counts ehis.  (1  hy  tiie  eoiii|iany.  to  which  tlic  said  creditors  shall  he  boiiiid  to 
sutunit.  without  ohli<;inj,'  tiic  said  directors  to  show  tlieiu  the  state  of  tlic  com- 
pany's ell'  c'ts  iir  render  them  nny  aiu'ount  neitiicr  shall  the  said  cnditors 
establish  any  commissaries  lU' sequcstrees  of  the  siiid  eU'eets,  and  all  acts  cim- 
trary  to  tiie  present  edict  shall  be  void. 

XL\'.  It  is  our  jilcasurc  tliiit  llie  cxi  hequer  bills,  delivered  in  hands  of  the 
treasui-er  ot'  our  royul  treasury  for  the  said  Wi'sti'iii  (Joiupany,  he  brought  by 
liim  to  the  town  hall  of  our  ;;ood  city  of  Paris,  where,  in  tliu  i)rescnce  of  M. 
Bi;;non  eouneillor  of  state  inviVllinary,  late  I'lcval  tin,  mdic/ui lu/a  {UK[yitv),M_ 
Trudaine,  councillor  of  state,  present  /''•' (•('/  '/('  iiiarchiiaih,  Messrs.de  ■Sorro, 
le  V'ertroys,  Hailon  and  I'oiicot.  who  sjmird  the  exiliciiuer  liills  with  them, 
and  of  the  municipal  ollicers  of  iIm'  said  town  hall  \\\w  shall  or  may  wish  to  be 
there,  the  said  exchc(|ucr  bills  be  imblicly  burned,  immediately  after  the  deli- 
very of  each  bond,  and  after  the  draft  of  a  verbal  process  mi'iitinniiiji;  tin; 
registi'rs,  nmiibersand  sums,  the  inscription  and  disehari:e  thereof  on  the  said 
registers,  which  veibal  process  shall  In'  siganl  by  the  said  Messrs,  Pn.voLs  du 
mair/idiiils  and  other  persons  named  in  the  present  article. 

XFA'I.  The  directors,  or  a  majority  of  them,  shall  iioininatt!  all  the  ag-ents 
of  the  company,  captains  and  ollicers  si-rving  on  her  vessels,  military  and  judi- 
cial oiliei'is  and  all  others  employed  in  the  laiids  i,Maiitcd  to  her,  and  they  shall 
be  at  liberty  to  dismiss  them  whenever  they  think  lit ;  and  the  said  iiominationH 
and  dismissions  shall  be  si;,Mied  by  no  less  than  tlirce  directors, 

XF^Vll.  'l"he  said  directors  shall  not  be  troubled  or  constrained  in  their  per- 
sons or  ell'icts  for  the  all'airs  of  the  eoiniiany, 

XLVllI.  They  shall  settle  the  accounts  of  the  clerks  and  agents,  as  well  in 
France  as  in  the  granted  lands  ol'  tlie  company,  and  tlnise  of  the  eorres|)ond- 
ents,  and  the  said  accounts  must  be  sigied  by  no  less  than  three  of  the  said 
directors. 

XLIX.  True  and  exact  books  shall  hv  kept  for  the  cash,  invoices,  sale  ac- 
counts. exi)ediiions  and  ledger,  by  double  entry,  as  well  at  the  general  direction 
at  Paris  as  by  the  clerks  and  commissioners  of  the  eonipany  in  the  country  and 
lands  granted  to  her;  the  s.aid  books  shall  be  eiuloised  and  signed  by  tin'  direc. 
tors,  and  they  may  serve  as  evidence  before  our  couits  of  Justice, 

L.  We  bestow  in  gift  to  >h(!  said  company  tin;  forts,  warehouses,  houses, 
cannons,  arms,  gunpowder,  brigantines,  boats,  canoes,  and  all  other  eflects  and 


ill 


.1  ■  ;     I 

■>;■■•:  1, 
Ii! 


i  III 


1  ;. 


58 


IIIHToniCAI.    COM.IXriONfl    OK    I.OL'IHIANA. 


and  whieli  cDiiimuiiicatoH  witli  lake  IViiitoliartniiii,  by  the  bayou  Saint 
Jolm  III!  left  fifty  |)ersoiia  tlioro  to  clour  tlio  laritl  and  buibl  soino 
liOUHus.     In  Marcli,  tlio  ships  Dauphino,  Noptuiif,  and  Vigilant  rc- 


I  h 


iiii  i 


ut«MisiIs  wo  possc'HH  ttt  prcHont  in  Louisiana,  all  of  which  Hhail  be  delivered  over 
to  her  "M  our  orchTs,  whii:li  Mimli  iic  (lis|mtchi'(l  l)y  our  navy  council. 

LI.  Wf  bestow  likewise  in  jfil't  to  the  said  eoni|iaiiy  the  v(  -.selM,  pDods  atid 
effects  which  M.  Crozat  delivered  over  tons,  as  exiiluined  in  tlie  decree  of  our 
council  ol'  the  ii:!.l  day  of  the  present  Mnnith.  of  whatever  niiture  they  iniiy  ho, 
and  whatever  may  he  tlii'ir  amount  provided  that  in  the  course  oC  her  charter 
Bhu  carry  over  to  the  lands  granted  to  her,  no  less  tiian  hIx  thousand  white  per- 
sons, and  three  thousand  ncfijroes. 

Lll.  ir  alter  the  twenty  (ive  years  of  the  charter  we  grant  lierehy  to  the 
said  company  shall  have  expired,  wo  should  not  think  lit  to  grant  her  a  pro- 
longation llnri'oC  all  the  islands  and  lands  she  shall  have  inhaliitcd  or  peo]iled, 
as  likewise  the  manoiial  ri-hts,  ((uit  and  other  rents,  due  liy  tlie  inhahitants, 
shall  remain  iter  property  forever,  with  liherly  to  dispose  of  them  as  she  shall 
think  (it  and  wi;  will  never  si'ck  to  rciover  tiie  said  lands  or  islands  for  any 
cause,  occasion  or  prt'tence  whatever,  having  given  them  up  from  this  present 
moment,  on  condition  that  tin;  said  company  shall  not  sell  the  said  lands  to  any 
other  persons  tliau  our  snl)Jects ;  and  as  to  the  forts,  arms  and  ammunitions, 
they  sliall  bi^  delivered  up  to  us  l)y  the  said  company,  to  whom  we  shall  repay 
the  value  of  the  same  according  to  an  ecinitabh;  valuation. 

LIU.  Wiiereas,  in  the  settlement  of  the  lands  granted  to  thi!  said  company 
by  these  ])resent  letters,  we  have  ehielly  in  view  thi'  glory  of  God,  by  procuring 
the  salvation  of  the  Indian  savage  and  ni'gro  iidialiitants  whom  we  wish  to  bo 
instructed  in  the  true  religion,  tlie  said  company  shall  be  boinid  to  build 
chiirclies  at  her  expense  in  the  places  of  her  settlements,  as  likewise  to  main- 
tain there  as  many  ajiproved  clergymeTi  as  may  be  necessary,  either  as  vicars, 
or  under  any  other  suitable  title,  to  preach  the  holy  gos|)el,  celebrate  Divine 
service,  and  administer  the  sacraments  under  the  authority  of  the  bishop  of 
Qui'bcc.  tiie  said  colony  remaining  as  hiTctofore  in  his  diocese,  the  livings  of 
the  vi<ars  and  other  clergymen,  maintained  by  the  company,  being  in  his  gil't 
and  advowson. 

Ll\'.  'J'he  said  company  shall  be  at  liberty  to  take  for  her  coat  of  arms  an 
escutcheon  vert,  waved  at  the  base  argent,  lying  thereon  a  river  god  proper, 
loaning  on  a  cornucopia  or ;  in  chief  azure  service  of  (Icur  de  lys  or,  bearing  upon 
a  cloM't  or;  sui)porters  two  savages  ;  crest  a  trefoiled  crown ;  and  we  grant  lier 
the  said  arms  that  she  may  make  use  of  them  on  lier  seals,  and  place  them  on 
her  buildings,  vessels,  guns  and  wherever  she  may  think  fit. 

LV.  We  give  the  said  com[)any  leave  to  draw  u|)  and  enact  the  necessary 
statutes  and  regulations  for  the  government  and  direction  of  lier  aflairs  and 
trade,  as  well  in  Europe  as  in  the  lands  granted  to  her,  and  the  said  statutes 
and  regiilations  shall  be  confirmed  by  our  letters  patent,  in  order  that  the  share- 
holders of  the  said  company  be  bound  to  execute  them  according  to  their  form 
and  tenor. 

LVI.  Whereas  it  is  not  our  intention  that  the  special  protection  we  grant 
to  the  said  company  be  in  any  respect  prejudicial  to  our  other  colonies  whom 
we  wish  also  to  favor,  we  forbid  the  said  company  to  take  or  receive  under  any 


ESTAIlMHIIMnNT    OI'    TriF,    FRKNCII    IN    I.OUIStANA. 


59 


turned  to  Friuico.  On  tlio  '28th  April,  tho  sliip  Di  Pdix  arrived 
with  sixty  iiioii  fur  tho  ooticossioii  of  M  Paris  Duverney,  at  tho  vil- 
lage of  the  HiiyiigouliiH,  whioh  had  been   destroyed.*     In   May,  tho 

prctcticc  wliatfViT,  any  iiiliabitaiit  I'stiiMislu'd  in  (lureoloiiii'H,  and  truiislVr  tlicm 
to  Loiiiiiinna,  iiiiU'ss  tlicy  havi-  obtained  the  mecMsaiy  piTniissjou  in  writing  of 
thi'  tjovcrnDrs  j,'ciicral  <>('  our  (taid  (.oloiiii'M.  antlicntieated  liy  tiu!  Inkinln".':.  or 
cliii'fs  of  tin-  ooMiniis.sariat. 

Wlu'rcforc,  vn'  do  ordi-r  onr  trusty  and  ln-Iovcd  rounciilorM,  lioldinp  our 
court  of  p;ir.iainrnt  audit  udici',  ami  cdurt  of  aids  in  Paris,  to  let  the  present 
letters  lie  read  pulilislied  and  n-jjistered  and  tlieir  contents  lioldeii,  obeyed  and 
executed,  aceordinj;  to  tlii'ir  form  and  tenor  iiotwitlistandinj;  any  proclamation, 
declaration  rej^'ulation  Jud"-nient  or  any  thiui;  (dse  contrary  to  their  contents  all 
of  wliieli  we  lia\e  made  and  do  make  void  l>y  these  present  letters,  in  thu  copit'H 
of  which  autlienti(;ated  by  one  of  our  trusty  and  bidoved  councillor  secreta- 
ries, faith  shall  hi,'  had  as  in  the  orif^iiial  :  For  sudi  is  onr  pleasure.  And  in 
order  tiial  this  may  endure  Corever.  we  have  attached  our  seal  to  these  prt.'sent 
letters.  Given  in  Paris  in  the  month  of  Aujjfust,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  ono 
thousand  seven  hundri'd  and  seventeen,  and  of  our  reign  the  second. 

(Si;,Mie<l)  LOUIS. 

And  lower,  for  the  Kinj;  I.e  due  d'Orii.KANN,  Regent,  present.  PnKr.vi'KAiix 
vidit  D.AaiKsK.\u.  Seen  at  the  council  Villeroy.  and  sealed  with  the  great  seal 
of  green  wax. 

*  The  Indian  ti  ities  inhabiting  the  vast  country  explored  by  the  French, 
were  forniei'ly  much  more  mimerous  than  they  are  at  present.  Many  of  these 
powerful  tribes  have  either  become  extinct  or  so  merged  in  other  tribes  as  to 
have  lost  their  nami'S. 

The  Mihiliiiiis.  a  mimerous  tribe,  who  lived  near  the  mouth  of  the  M(d)ilo 
river,  have  long  since  become  incorporated  with  the  Creeks,  and  no  traces  of 
them  left  but  their  names.  Tho  Nutclicz.  who  occupied  a  large  territory  on  tho 
Mississippi,  iinbracing  tlie  city  which  bears  their  name,  who  worshipped  the 
sun.  and  were  the  most  civilized  of  ail  the  southern  Indians,  were  nearly  exter- 
minated by  the  French,  upwards  of  a  ceiitniy  ago.  The  survivors  fled  to  the 
Chicacha.s  for  refuge,  and  subsequently  to  the  Creeks,  with  whom  they  have 
been  incorporated.  The  liui/aiioiilas  and  Mnii.'diilac/io'',  two  very  considerable 
nations,  who  lived  on  the  west  bank  of  tlie  Mississippi,  about  two  hundred 
miles  above  its  mouth,  are  entirely  extinct.  The  Jlaumas,  a  jiowerful  and 
warlike  tribe,  who  lived  upon  the  banks  of  Red  River,  near  its  mouth,  are  re- 
duced to  a  few  liuts  only.  Tlie  Cornus,  situated  a  few  miles  above  the  Iloumas, 
are  entirely  destroyed.  The  Taeiisas,  a  powerful  nation,  situated  a  few  miles 
higher  up  the  Mississippi,  are  reduced  to  a  few  cabins.  The  Tonkas,  once 
a  large  tribe,  but  now  reduced,  live  with  tlie  Avoyelles,  on  a  stream  that  falla 
into  Red  River.  The  Pascagoulas,  Tchacha^oulai,  Oiiuchus,  Biln.cis,  Tans^i- 
Voas.  Tchoupituulas,  Colapissas,  Ckdlnnachcs,  and  Qainnipisms.  who  once  occu- 
pied a  laige  district  of  country  b»>rdering  on  the  lakes  and  bayous  falling  into 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  are  either  merged  into  other  tribes  or  have  become  extinct. 
The  Yasous,  Chachoumas,  Tatusas,  Corois,  Thioux  and  Samboukas,  have  all  been 
destroyed,  except,  perhaps,  a  few  huts  of  the  Yasous,  which  are  still  to  be  seen 
upon  the  banks  of  the  picturesque  river  which  bears  their  name.    The  Natsous, 


h 


60 


niSTORICAT-    C0I-LECTI0N3    OP    LOUISIANA. 


i 


fort  at  St.  Joseph's  Bay  was  abandoned,  and  soon  after  tlic  Spaniards 
took  posses.-ion  of  it,  and  established  themselves  there.  On  the 
lOth   August,  the  ship  la  JPaix  sailed  for  France.     On  the  '2Gth, 


m  I 


\'\\ 


Ill    *- 


'  I. 


:li  ^^' 


Nafrhiliirf.-s,  find  \inu/arn<s,  on  tlie  Arlvansas.  aro  all  oitlicr  ilcstroyiMl  or  nicfgcd 
in  wliat  is  cuIUmI  the  Arlinnsus,  The  Cin/ilnrs.  or  Cd'hldildijniiiKS.  \i/ssiiHis.  and 
Tciianx,  (a  nation  that  ijave  th'ir  name  to  Texas,)  the  Ailayca  and  F/z/rt.'.-.f'v.?, 
are  redueed  to  a  ffw  luits.  i;onlint'(l  to  the  baiili.s  of  Red  River.  The  C/iii'iinis 
live  on  Bnyon  Bocnf.  and  tlic  Oni'ldnsiis  or  1,'iupdousm,  and  tlie  AUarfiptis,  in 
the  i)arislu's  of  Louisiana  wliicli  hear  tiicir  nainivs. 

Jontel.  in  his  Jouriinl  of  Lu  Salle'.s  JM.st  expcilition  totlio  Gulf  of  Mexico,  (a 
a  translation  of  wliicIi  is  printiMl  in  tlio  first  volume  of  the  Ilistorieal  Collections 
of  Louisiana.)  gives  the  names  of  more  than  thirty  tribes  of  Indians  whicli  he 
passed  through  (in  what  is  now  called  'IVxas  )  on  his  way  to  Canada,  that  have 
become  entirely  extinct;  while  the  Apaches  and  Camanches,  both  ]iowerful 
and  warlike  tribes,  still  rove  sovercii,nis  of  the  country,  whitened  by  the 
hones  of  tliose  they  have  destroyed.  The  Cn/ipiis.  To m: in l: it s,  ;uii\  Tuni/iiuis, 
who  lived,  at  the  time  of  Do  Soto's  visit  to  this  country,  on  the  banks  and  near 
the  month  of  the  Arkansas,  have  either  been  killed  oil'  or  ineorporatt'd  with 
other  tribes.  The  C/iurlm^  and  Ckicnchaa.  great  and  powerful  nations  who  an- 
ciently occupied  all  that  territory  from  the  (7ulf  of  Mexico  to  (he  Cumberland 
river,  bounded  on  the  east  by  the  Chera(piis  and  Muskhogees  or  Creeks,  and 
on  the  west  bj' the  jNIississippi  river;  although  numbering  in  the  time  of  Do 
Soto,  more  than  twenty  thousand  warriors,  are  now  more  than  half  reduced,  and 
have  been   transferred  to  the  Indian  territory  wi'st  of  the  Arkansas. 

The  C/irraqnis  or  C/iiia/.rex.  the  Albanians  of  thi;  south,  who  occupied  all 
the  c(Uintry  lying  north  of  the  Creeks,  on  the  Cheracpiis  or  Tennessee  and  Ili- 
wasse  river.s,  and  along  the  nioinitain  gorges  of  the  Aiialachian  chain,  lunnber- 
ing  more  than  thirty  thousand  warriors  when  the  French  first  landeil  on  the 
barren  shores  of  ]5ihixi,  became  n-dnced  to  less  than  one  half  of  that  luinibcr 
before  they  were  transferred  to  Arkans;is.  The  C/iaiiaiiovs  or  S/iiiira)tccsc, 
who  occupied  the  basin  of  the  Cumberland,  and  connected  the  south-eastern 
AlgoiKinius  with  the  western  Indians,  like  most  of  the  other  great  tribes,  became 
by  sanguinary  wars  sadly  reduced  jirevious  to  their  removal  to  their  p'  sent 
hunting  grounds,  west  of  the  Arkansas.  Tliis  tribe  was  known  to  the  French 
mis>ioiiaries  as  early  as  1G7-,  they  were  nearl>-  allied  to  the  Sauks  and 
Foxes. 

The  Mii^kfinecca  or  Crcds,  inchnling.  of  course,  the  Si^yiniiolrf,  Challa- 
iiachcs  and  Apahirhrx  occnpied  an  immense  territory  at  the  time  De  Soto 
passed  through  their  country,  botindedou  the  W(!st  by  tlie  Alibamons.  south  by 
the  (jiulf  of  Mexico,  north  by  the  Cherokees.  and  on  the  east  by  the  Savannali 
river.  They  were,  without  doul)t,  the  most  warlike  and  powerful  confederacy 
in  all  this  country,  and  constantly  at  war  with  other  tribes.  Subsc  ;  icntly  to 
their  n'moval  to  the  Indian  territory  west  of  the  Arkansas,  this  nation  could 
only  muster  about  twenty-tive  thousand  souls.  The  Creeks,  Cherokees 
Choctaws  have  good  schools  and  churches  established  among  them,  and 
live  nnder  a  form  of  govermnent  of  their  own.  'i\w.  AUhammis  and  Coo- 
$ada$,  two  small  tribes  that  ibnni'riy  lived  on  the  banks  of  the  Talapoosa 
and  Coosa  rivers,  are  either  become  extinct  or  incorporated  with  the  Muskho- 


ESTABLISHMENT    OP    THE    FRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


61 


the  sliips  hi  Duchcsse,  la  Vic/oirc,  and  /a  ili^/^V?,  connnaiKled  by  ^IM. 
de  Koussul,  de  la  Salic,  ct  do  Cliapy,  arrived  at  Daui)hin  I.sland. 
They  brought  MM.    de    Kicheboiirg.    a    knight   of    Saint    Louis; 


gees.    Tlie  Abikas  and  Conchas,  spi'iikiii!;  a  diiilect  of  the  Cliicachas,  and  who 
lived  ni>rth  of  tlie  Alilianions.  arc  all  dcstioyid. 

Till'  MidDiics  or  I'lriu/i Ill's,  a  wiirlikc  iiatimi.  occiiiiicd  tlie  couiitr\"  from  tho 
Scioto  and  Walmsli  to  tlic  siiorcs  of  hike  Mi('lii;.^iiii ;  and  tlic  Jlliiinis.  a  kindred 
nation  composed  of  the 'rainaidi.s  IVmias  Cahoki.is.  Kaskaskias  and  Metdii^a- 
mis,  occnpicd  all  the  connlry  lyin;,'-  lictucen  tin'  Ohio  and  Mississijipi  rivers, 
and  on  hotii  asides  of  tiu'  Illinois.  The  .Mrichii.'aniias  came  from  the  west  side 
of  the  Missi.ssippi.  They  were  reilueed  hy  wais  with  tin'  Chieachais.  Sanks  and 
Fo.xes  and  the  Five  Nations,  and  he^'s^'ed  to  he  iiicnipdiated  with  tlu'  Illinois. 
The  Miamies  were  a  numiroiis  natinn  when  lirst  visiteil  hy  the  French  in  K'pti'.t, 
and  eontinneil  for  a  lonj;-  time  in  alliance  with  them.  They  h.ive  always  ta- 
ken an  active  part  in  all  the  wars  ai^ainst  the  United  States  ainl  were  tinally 
reduced  to  less  than  ona  thousand  souls.  The  I'loriuf  and  Kufkadins,  the  last 
remnant  of  the  irreat  Illinois  nation,  now  reside  on  the  Indian  reservation  west 
of  the  Mississippi.  The  I'iiniki.sdirf.  ocenpietl  a  portion  of  territ(jry  horderin"; 
on  tli(;  Ohio  river.  They  were  nearly  .'dlied  to  the  JMiamies,  and  allhoui'Ii  a 
numerous  trihe.  they  were  greatly  reduced  hy  wars  previous  to  their  removal 
to  the  Indian  territory.  The  Kickajmiis  ticcupied  all  the  country  between  the 
Illinois  rivers.  The  remnant  of  this  powerful  tribe  now  reside  west  of  the 
Mississip])i  river. 

The  I-Jriis  Erigas  or  Cat  Nations,  were  seated  on  tlie  southern  shore  of  the 
lake  which  siill  hears  their  iiam(.'.  They  were  destroyed  by  the  Iroipinis  in 
irioo.  Till!  Andastes.  a  iiiore  fniniiilahlt'  nation,  were  seated  below  the  Faies, 
and  extuiuling  to  the  Ohio.  Alter  many  years  of  dLsastruus  wars  they  were  fi- 
nally destroyed  in  1G7~. 

The  H'l/aiuJiils  or  Vciulols  were  widl  known  to  the  French,  wlio  gave  them 
the  nickname  of  Hurons.  The  .lesuits  w  ho  established  jjosts  among  them  as 
early  as  1044.  found  them  not  onl.s  moie  warlike  than  the  northern  Algonqnins, 
but  more  civilized.  They  occupied  the  i)eninsiih(  between  lakes  Huron  Erie, 
and  Ontario.  In  Kill)  the  Iroquois  invaded  their  countries,  and  massacred 
nearly  all  of  the  nation,  except  a  part  that  lied  to  the  Ottawas.  and  sought  an 
asylum  in  Canada,  where  they  were  pursued  by  their  implacable  enemies,  even 
iii';!er  the  walls  of  (Quebec.  The  immediate  dominion  of  the  Innpiois.  where 
the  Mohawks,  Oneidas.  Oiiondagas,  Cayngas  and  .Senecas  were  first  vislt.'l  by 
the  Jesuits,  or  the  war  parties  of  the  French,  stretched  from  the  borders  of 
lake  Champlain  to  Ontario,  along  the  head-waters  of  the  Ohio,  Sus(piehanna, 
and  Delaware.  In  tho  begiuniug  of  the  scveiiteei.th  century  they  amounted  to 
Airty  thousand,  and.  from  their  gcdgraphieal  po>ition  .tiid  their  superior  intel- 
ligence, it  made  them  umpires  in  the  e. intent  ot'the  French  for  dominion  in  the 
west.  Their  destruction  has  been  almost  exclusively  the'  result  of  wars  among 
themselves,  or  against  other  Indians  nations. 

The  Wiiiiu ha. nil's,  once  a  |)owerful  and  warlike  people,  held  all  the  country 
from  the  mouth  of  tJreen  I5ay  (,H'iy^^'  'l^'"'  I'niints)  to  th((  lead  of  Lake  Sii|)erior, 
and  are  now  a  most  miseralile  ainl  impoveii>lie(l  nation  scarcely  numbering 
four  thousand  souls.     The  Menomonies,  Ottawas,  and  I'outaouatimies,  like  the 


I!      W'lil' 


m\\- 


ml 


ifjlll 

II ! ' 

III     I! 


m. 


62 


IlISTOniCAL    COLLECTIONS    OP    LOUISIANA. 


Grandprc,  major  of  Mobile  ;  de  Noyan  and  do  Meleque,  lieutenants  ; 
de  L'Isle-Dumesnil  and  do  la  Patt  le,  ensigns;  and  Dauril,  major  of 
New  Orleans.  M  lo  Gac,  a  sub-director  ;  seventy  persons  for  the 
concession  of  M.  do  la  Iloussayc,  and  sixty  persons  for  the  concession 
of  M.  de  la  Harpe,  besides  twelve  or  fifteen  men  each  for  some 
smaller  grants.  The  total  niunber  of  persons  brought  over  by  these 
vessels  at  this  time  exceeded  eight  hundred  persons. 

Winnebagoea,  are  tlie  remnaiitH  of  ijowerfiil  tribes,  whoso  territory  once  ex- 
tended around  the  northern,  eastirn  and  western  shores  of  hike  Micliigan,  and 
among  wiioni  tiie  Freiicli  missionaries  labored  for  .sixty  years  or  more  to  con- 
vert them  to  Ciirislianity. 

Sonthwest  of  the  Meiionionies  tlie  restle.ss  Snii/.s  and  Fcxrit.  ev(  r  dreaded 
by  the  French,  held  tlie  passes  fn)iii  Green  Bay  and  Fox  river  to  the'  Mississip- 
pi. The  largest  portion  of  their  territory  lay  oti  the  west  .siile  of  the  Mississip- 
pi. Tiiey  in  part  subjngated  the  loways.  and  admitted  them  into  alliance  with 
them.  They  were  always  ])articnlarly  hostile  to  the  Freneli,  and  fre(|nently 
attacked  their  posts.  Sustained  by  the  Ciiicachas  and  some  of  the  Scioux 
tribes,  tiiey  turned  their  arms  against  tlie  Illinois,  intercepted  the  communica- 
tion between  Canada  and  Louisiana,  and  finally  compelled  the  Illinois  to  aban- 
don their  villages  on  the  river  of  tliat  name. 

The  AJissoiiris,  a  numerous  nation,  but  now  greatly  reduced,  occupied  origi- 
nally the  iiountry  at  the  junction  of  the  river  of  that  name  with  the  Mississippi. 
They  were  driven  away  by  the  Illinois  in  1824.  and  have  since  joined  the  Ottocs. 
Tlie  OHiics  and  Onw/ian-s.  after  several  eliaiiges  now  occupy  tlie  country  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Missouri,  above  and  below  the  river  Platte. 

The  Panis  or  Pawnees  consist  of  numerous  villages  on  the  river  Platte,  west 
of  the  Ottoes  and  OmahawH.  Tlu'V  are  a  warlike  people,  and' hunt  southerly 
as  far  as  the  Arkansas.  They  were  visited  by  French  travellers  as  early  as 
1024.  and  now,  although  much  reduced  in  numbers,  they  still  occupy  the  same 
country  that  they  did  then. 

Northwest  of  the  Sacs  (Sauks)and  Foxes  (Rcnards),  and  west  of  the  Chip- 
peways,  lived  the  Scioux  or  Dahcotas  on  both  sides  of  the  Mississippi. 
The  French  discovered  their  wigwams  in  1059,  and  gave  them  the  name  of 
Dahcota.  The  eastern  Dahcotas  are  composed  of  four  tribes,  and  the  western 
of  three,  viz. :  the  Yanktons,  Yanktoanaiis.  and  Tetons.  These  tribes  still  in- 
habit the  country  west  of  the  Mississippi,  between  that  and  St.  Peter's  rivers. 
They  carry  on  a  constant  predatory  warfare  against  all  the  tribes  living  on  the 
Missouri  or  its  tributary  streams,  from  the  Mandans  to  the  Osagcs;  while  the 
eastern  Scioux  or  Dahcotas  are  continually  at  war  with  the  Chippeways. 

The  Miiularccs  consist  of  three  tribes,  who  cultivate  the  soil  and  live  in 
villages  situated  on  the  Missouri.  They  are  kept  in  a  continual  state  of  alarm 
by  the  predatory  excursions  of  the  Assiniboins  and  Aricarees.  The  southern 
Scioux.  consisting  of  eight  tribt's.  originally  occujiied  a  territory  extending  along 
tlie  Mississippi  to  the  UKmth  of  the  Arkansas.  Three  of  their  tribes,  the  Quap- 
pas  or  Arkansas,  the  Osages,  and  the  Kansas,  who  inhabit  the  country  south  of 
tlie  Missouri,  were  the  first  seen  by  the  French  in  107'5  and  always  remained 
in  alliance  with  them.  It  is  i)robatile  that  the  (iuajipas  are  the  Pacahas  des- 
cribed by  D^'  Soto  in  his  wanderings  on  that  side  of  the  Mississippi,  aud  the 
Kappas  so  often  described  by  the  first  French  explorers. 


ESTABLISHMENT    OF    THE    FRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


63 


V  In  the  beginning  of  October,  M.  de  Boisbrilliant  sot  out  to  take 
command  in  the  Illinois;  and  at  the  same  time  M  de  la  Ilarpi;  em- 
barked with  fifty  men  for  liis  concession  at  Cadodaijuioa.  on  Red 
River,  with  orders  to  establish  a  post  there,  and  to  ascertain  the 
number  of  Indian  tribes  in  that  country.  X  On  the  31st  October,  the 
ships,  1(1,  Vicfoire,  la  Diic/tcssc.  and  At  I\I(u'i'',  sailed  for  France. 
On  tho  17th  March,  1710,  A;  Coniie  de  Toulouse  arrived  with  one 
hundred  passengers,  among  whom  was  M  de  Larchebault,  director- 
general,  with  a  salary  of  five  thousand  livres  per  annum. 

On  the  2lth  March.  M.  de  Saint  Denis  arrived  from  Mexico.  It 
has  been  previously  related  that  he  set  out  from  the  Presidio  du 
Nord  on  the  \'A\\  April,  1717,  fur  the  purpose  of  recovering  his 
goods  which  had  been  seized  oj  Ca[itain  Raimond.  He  arrived  in 
Mexico  on  tho  od  May.  The  Marijuis  of  VuUero,  Viceruy  of  New 
Spain,  who  had  succeeded  the  Duke  de  Lignarus,  received  him  cour- 
teously, and  promised  they  should  bo  restored  to  him.  Soon  after, 
howover,  Don  Martin  d'Alacorne,  Captain  General  of  the  province  of 
d'Altekas,  was  informed  at  Saltillo  that  M.  de  Saint  Denis  had 
passed  through  the  province  without  reporting  himself,  and  he  wrote 
to  the  Viceroy  that  he  was  a  suspicious  person,  and  the  goods  were 
not  owned  by  him,  upon  which  information  the  Viceroy  had  him 
arrested  on  the  t^oth  October.  He  remained  in  prison  until  Novem- 
ber, when  a  royal  decree  was  granted  to  release  him  on  condition  that 
he  should  remain  in  the  City  of  Me.vico.  He  obtained  a  release  of 
his  goods  by  another  decree,  which  he  afterwards  sold  for  a  great 
price.  But  the  friend  with  whom  he  had  deposited  the  proceeds, 
scpiandered  the  whole  of  them.  M.  de  Saint  Denis  was  ordered  to 
be  arrested  soon  after  for  having  spoken  indiscreetly  of  the  Spanish 
Government;  but  .wme  of  Ids  wife's  relations  hearing  of  it  assisted 
him  to  escape  f'-om  the  City  of  Mexico  on  the  25th  September,  1718  ; 
and  on  the  2ith  March,  1719.  he  arrived  at  Dauphin  Island. 

On  the  19th  April,  the  Mardehal  de  VU/urs  and  le  Phil/ippe^  com- 
manded by  3IM.  Mechin,  arrived  at  Dauphin  Island  with  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty  passengers,  among  whom  were  M  de  Serigny.  knight 
of  Saint  Louis,  with  a  commission  from  the  King  to  explore  and 
sound  the  coast  of  Louisiana,  in  company  with  his  brother  31.  de 
Bienville;  he  was  the  bearer  of  the  news  of  the  war  with  Spain, 
which  had  been  declared  by  France  on  the  Otli  January.  1719,  on  the 
refusal  of  his  Catholic  Majesty  to  sign  the  treaty  of  the  triple  alli- 
ance. His  first  care  was  to  call  a  council  of  war,  composed  of  M.  de 
Bienville,  Hubert,  Larchebault,  and  le  Gac  It  was  agreed  that 
they  should  attack  Pensacola.     M.  de  Bienville  repaired  to  3Iobile, 


1 1  ■ 


i 


I 


II 


64 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONa    OF    LOUISIANA. 


I' 

I! 


I    'I: 


111  I! 


m 


il! 


wliero  lio  assoiiil)I('(l  four  liiiiKlrcd  Tndians  and  sonic  Canadiana,  with 
whom  li(!  niarcliod  l»y  land  to  Poiisacola,  wliilo  ^l.  do  Soriirny  cm- 
barked  on  board  the  Mii.rcclidl  dc  Vi//ars.  and  with  two  otlicr  vessels 
he  arrived  before  Pensacohv  on  the  1  Itli  ]May.  As  soon  as  the 
Spaniards  saw  tlioniselves  invested  the  Governor  surrendered  the 
town  without  ina1<in<r  any  resistance,  on  the  conditions  that  the  frarri- 
son  should  be  sent  to  Havana,  and  the  fort  be  exempt  from  ]iillago, 
whicli  was  granted.  The  prisoners  were  embarked  on  board  the 
Comte  lie  Toidoiiac.  and  ic  MmiJvhal  de  Vi/hirs,  wliich  sailed  for 
Havana  a  few  days  after. 

On  the  Gth  June,  h-  ixnwd  due  de  Mauir.  and  VAurorr.  arrived 
from  the  coast  of  tJuinea,  with  five  hundred  negroes.  On  tjie  28th, 
the  ships  h  Sdiiit  Ijj/i/s  and  /<c  Dnvj>hinr,  arrived  at  Pensacola 
with  merchandise  and  about  thirty  new  recruits.  On  the  Tith  Au- 
gust, a  small  Spanish  fleet  cd  n posed  of  the  ships  Cointcdc  Ton/oiise 
and  Mdr^chdl  de  ViHurs.  with  several  brigs,  appeared  befure  Pen- 
sacola, commanded  by  Don  Alphonse,  brother-in-law  (>f  Calderon, 
the  Governor  of  Havana,  who  had  seized  the  two  French  siiips  in 
which  the  Spanish  troops  had  been  sent  to  Havana.  MM  de 
Chateaugue,  commander  of  the  fort,  had  p\it  it  in  a  state  of  de- 
fence ;  but  most  of  the  soldiers  being  deserters,  they  listened  to  the 
councils  of  some  Spanish  deserters  wlio  had  been  left  in  the  fort,  and 
together  with  the  panic  and  insubordination  among  his  troops,  the 
commander  was  compelled  to  surrender  the  fort  on  the  Gth.  Tlie 
ship  la  I)iii.pJi,iii('.  which  was  in  the  port,  was  burned  ;  MM.  de 
Chatcaugui',  de  llieh(;bourg.  de  la  Marque,  and  de  Larchebault.  were 
taken  prisoners  to  Havana;  and  Matamoro  was  re-instated  Governor 
of  Pensacola.  As  soon  as  y  do  Serigny  received  the  news  of  the 
Spaniards  having  invested  Pensacola,  he  marched  to  its  succor  :  but 
being  informed  before  he  arrived  of  the  surrender  of  the  fort,  he  coun- 
terniarehed.  believing  that  the  enemy  would  not  confine  their  o))era- 
tions  to  that  place.  He  had  no  sooner  reached  Dauphin  Island  than 
the  Spanish  fleet  was  discovered  to  be  approaching. 

The  commander  of  the  fleet  sent  a  boat  on  board  the  PliiUippe, 
a  sh.ip  belonging  to  the  company,  commanded  by  M.  Dlourse,  with  the 
following  letter : 

On  hoard  the  Notre  D.inio  de  Viuojne, 

Wtli  Aut'iist,  1719,  10  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Sir: 

I  .scnil  you  my  lin.it  with  an  offioor  to  .sninnion  yon  to  surrenilor.  If  you  do 
any  (linniig'  to  ymir  sliip  I  will  treat  yuu  as  an  incrndiavy.  and  iiritlicr  give  you 
nor  M.  (U:  Cliateaugud  and  his  garrison,  who  are  in  my  power,  any  qtiarter.    It 


IS 

ai 


\ 

: 

i 

! 

^■'*n 

ESTABMSIIMENT    OF    THE    FRENCFI    IN    LOUISIANA. 


G5 


is  tlic  order  (if  my  Kins'.  Pliillip  tlio   Fiftli,  to  treat  all  tlioso  with  rin;iir  who 
are  found  with  arms  in  their  liaiids.  and  with  mercy  thuse  wlio  surrender. 

With  assurances  of  my  resi)ect, 
I  am,  Sir, 

Yours,  &c., 

Anpomk  DE  MaN'UITA. 

M.  Dionrso  sent  tlio  Spanish  officer  ashore  to  M.  de  Scrii^ny,  who 
was  much  otfeiuled  at  tliu  cnnteiits  of  tliis  letter,  and  wlio  informed 
the  officer  tliat  lie  disregarded  his  threats.  At  tiiis  monieut  more 
than  two  hundred  men  assembled  around  M.  do  Serigny,  well  armed, 
together  with  several  Indian  Chiefs  in  tiicir  war  dress,  who  only 
waited  the  command  of  their  officer  to  fight  In  the  meantime  fifty 
men  were  sent  on  board  to  man  the  •■  PhiUi[ipo."  After  tlie  depar- 
ture of  the  Spanish  ollieer  31.  de  Serigny  made  preparations  to  re- 
sist the  attack.  Towards  evening  a  vessel  was  seen  to  enter  Mobile 
bay,  and  during  the  night  she  captured  a  shallop  ladened  witli  flour 
and  bacon.  Slie  afterwards  jtroceeded  to  jd under  "  iMiragoii/ic"  about 
two  leagues  from  Dauphin  Island,  from  wliieh  she  took  upwards  of 
twenty  thousand  livres  worth  of  goods,  belonging  to  several  indivi- 
duals, who  had  sent  them  there  for  safe  keeping.  She  then  attempted 
to  make  a  second  descent  upon  the  place,  but  M.  de  Bienville  arrived 
in  time  with  a  small  force  to  keep  her  otV.  in  which  nine  were  killed, 
seven  drowned,  and  eighteen  i^/vv^c//!.  deserters  taken  prisoners,  seven- 
teen of  whom  M.  de  IJienville  ordered  to  bo  shot.  As  it  was  not  in 
our  power  to  prevent  the  enemy,  they  continued  to  hover  :ibout  Mo- 
bile river.  On  the  IGth,  we  discovered  two  ships  coming  from  Pen- 
Sacola,  which  wc  knew  to  be  the  ]\Lir{ch,iiJ  dc  YUliirs  and  the  Scinto 
Christa,  which  they  took  from  us  on  the  coast  of  Cuba.  They 
took  their  station  off  Dauphin  Island,  and  commenced  to  fire 
on  the  '■'■  Pliillippcy  which  was  returned  by  her  and  the  batteries 
from  the  land,  until  they  were  compelled  to  haul  off.  On  the  20th, 
the  Spaniards  made  another  attempt  to  land,  and  were  beaten  off 
by  the  troops  under  M.  Serigny.  On  the  same  day  sixty  Indians 
arrived  from  Mobile,  which  increased  their  number  to  two  hundred 
and  five.  There  v/ere  besides  on  the  island  sixty  Canadians,  one  hun- 
dred and  fourteen  soldiers,  nine  officers,  an<l  seventy  sappers  and 
miners.  On  the  2'lth,  the  enemy  raised  the  siege  and  sailed  for 
Pensacola. 

On  the  1st  September,  the  King's  scpiadron,  commanded  by  M. 
de  Champmeslin,  consisting  of  V Ihrcule.  sixty  guns  ;  Ic  jShirs,.  fifty- 
six  guns;  Ic  Triton,  fifty-four  guns;  and  two  of  the  company's  ships. 
V  Union,  forty-eight  guns,  with  one  hundred  and  ninety  passengers; 


•il 


'  I 


■n\ 


■.IH 


66 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


i  i! 


I 


I'     1 


m 


1^3  i 


Hi ;  I 


Til 


> 


and  /(/,  Ma.ric.  a  storoship,  arrived  at  Daupliin  Island.  MM.  de 
Villardo,  director-general,  with  a  salary  of  5000  livres,  came  a  pas- 
senger in  the  V  Union.  On  the  2d.  MM.  de  Serigny,  de  Villardo, 
and  le  Gac.  repaired  on  board  the  Admiral's  ship,  and  after  several 
conferences,  it  was  agreed  that  they  should  immediately  attack  Pen- 
sacola  before  the  arrival  of  a  squadron  from  Vera  Cniz.  Conse- 
quently, the  Admiral  ordered  that  the  ships  /'  U)Uon  and  /r  Pliillippe 
should  join  him,  with  a  reinforcement  of  two  hundred  troops.  On 
the  15th,  the  squadron  set  sail  for  Pensacola,  and  on  the  same  day 
M.  de  Bienville  set  out  in  a  shallop  for  Perdido  river,  wlicre  four 
hundred  Indians  awaited  his  arrival.  On  the  Kith,  he  arrived  before 
Pensacola  ;ind  invested  the  fort.  M.  de  Cliampmeslin  seeing  his  sig- 
nal, entered  the  port.  The  small  forts  and  ships  kept  up  a  constant 
fire  for  about  two  hours,  and  then  surrendered.  He  gave  them  up  to 
the  pillage  of  the  Indians.  M.  de  Cliampmeslin  gave  the  command 
of  the  largest  fort  to  M.  de  L'Isle.  The  commander  of  the  Spanish 
squadron  presented  his  sword  to  M.  de  Cliampmeslin,  who  afterwards 
returned  it  to  him  ;  but  the  Spanish  Governor,  Matamora.  was  not 
so  courteously  treated.  lie  was  disarmed  by  a  sailor,  and  M.  de 
Champmeslin  reproached  him  for  his  want  of  courage. 

The  French  commander  found  about  fifteen  days'  provisions  in 
the  place.  He  immediately  dispatched  a  vessel  to  Havana  with  three 
hundred  and  sixty  prisoners,  so  as  to  economize  the  provisions.  On 
the  18th,  a  Spanish  brigantine,  ladened  with  provisions,  entered  the 
port  from  Havana,  and  was  immediately  seized.  She  brought  the  re- 
port that  the  whole  of  Louisiana  was  in  the  possession  of  the 
Spaniards. 

On  the  4th  October,  the  company's  shij)  La.  Dnchessc  de  NoaUIes., 
commanded  by  M.  de  Malvan.  entered  Pensacola  laden  with  pro- 
visions for  the  squadron.  On  the  14th  a  vessel  arrived  from  St. 
Joseph's  Bay,  and  reported  that  a  Spanish  frigate  of  2G  guns  was 
lost  in  the  bay  of  Apalacho,  but  the  crew  was  saved.  Ou  the  2Gth  M. 
de  Champmeslin  ordered  his  squadron  to  get  ready  to  sail  the  next 
day.  On  the  same  day  a  ves-sel  arrived  from  Vera  Cruz  and  reported 
that  a  Spanish  fleet  was  daily  expected.  On  the  21st  the  squadron, 
consisting  of  twelve  ships,  after  having  fired  a  salute,  put  to  sea,  and 
M.  Terrise  was  left  with  a  few  troops  to  command  the  forts.  On 
the  23d  the  fleet  anchored  off  Dauphin  Island,  and  on  the  25th  they 
set  sail  for  France,  followed  by  the  Marechal  dc  Villars  and  Couite 
de  To  u  louse. 

Oil  the  29th  December  M.  do  Bienville  received  a  letter  from  M. 
Dutisue,  dated  Kaskaskias,  November  22,  1719,  with  an  account  of 


iiiiii 


ESTABLISHMENT    OF    THE    FKENCII    IN    LOUISIANA. 


67 


his  travels  to  the  village  of  the  Missouris  by  the  river,  and  to  the 
villages  of  the  Osages  and  the  Panis  by  land,  lie  observed  that  the 
water  of  the  Missouri  had  a  strong  current,  was  muddy  and  filled 
with  floating  timber.  The  country  was  beautiful  and  well  wooded. 
That  two  rivers,  from  the  west,  the  Osage,  and  IJlue  Kiver,  emptied 
into  the  3Ii.ssouri.  At  a  di.stance  eighty  leagues  from  the  mouth  of 
the  Osage  are  situated  the  villages  of  that  nation,  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  which  are  a  great  rraniber  of  lead  mines.  In  travelling  west 
he  crossed  very  high  mountains,  and  many  streams  falling  into  the 
Missouri  and  Mississippi.  Tiiat  from  Kaskaskias  to  the  Osages  is 
one  hundred  and  twenty  leagues  This  nation  is  not  stationary 
like  the  Missouris,  but  spend  the  winter  in  hunting  buffalo.  They 
are  stout  and  well-made,  and  great  warriors.  The  chiefs  arc  absolute 
in  their  villages.  Lead  mines  arc  abundant  in  their  country,  but 
they  are  unaciiuainted  with  the  uses  of  it  From  the  Osages  to 
the  Panis  villages  is  forty  leagues  in  a  northwest  direction,  and  ho 
passt'd  over  prairies  and  plains  filled  with  buffalo.  Tliey  arc  not 
civilized,  but  are  accessible  by  making  them  a  few  presents.  In  fif- 
teen days  he  reached  the  Padoucahs,  who  are  a  very  brave  and  war- 
like nation.  Here  M,  Dutisne  erected  the  arms  of  the  King,  27th 
September,  1710.      v 

IJy  the  arrival  of  Lts  deux  Frcrcs  at  Dauphin  Island,  M  de  Cha- 
teaiiguf'  received  a  commission  of  Lieutenant  from  the  King.  31.  D'Ar- 
taguettc.  of  Inspector-General,  and  M.  Paillou,  Major-General.  They 
also  received  the  news  that  the  Eastern  and  Western  Company  was 
united  in  one  by  an  edict  dated  12th  May,  1719.  31.  D'Artaguette 
was  ordered  by  the  administration  of  the  colony,  to  remove  the 
colony  from  Dauphin  Island  to  Biloxi  and  the  3Iississippi,  as 
it  was  impossible  for  the  colonists  to  improve  the  sterile  lands  of 
the  coast,  and  it  was  the  wish  of  the  King  to  have  the  lands  on 
the  river  cultivated  for  the  support  of  the  colony.  By  this  vessel 
the  colonists  received  the  ordinances  fixing  the  price  of  all  merchan- 
dise sold  in  Louisiana,  viz. :  five  per  cent,  advance  on  the  cost  price 
at  New  Orleans;  ten  per  cent,  at  Natchez;  twenty-five  percent,  at 
Natchitoches;  thirty  per  cent,  at  Yazoo  ;  and  in  3Iissouri  and  Illi- 
nois fifty  per  cent.  Articles  of  merchandise  not  enumerated  in  the 
tariff  to  be  sold  at  a  profit  of  fifty  per  cent  on  the  cost. 
>  31.  Benard  de  la  Harpe  returned  to  Mobile  from  Ecd  River  on 
the  20th  January,  1720,  after  having  established  a  post  at  the  village 
of  the  Cadodaquious. 

It  has  been  previously  stated  that  he  arrived  in  Louisiana  in  the 
month  of  August,  1718,  and  set  out  for  Red  River  with  fifty  men. 


i^' 


( ; 

I 


i'i:i' 


M\\: 


!     '■'!/ 


I'iil 


68 


UI9TORICAL    COLLECTIONfl    OF    LOUISIANA. 


TIo  roturned  to  Now  Orloaiis  in  tlie  fullowiiig  October,  and  on  the 
lOtli  DecciMibcr  lie  set  out  iigiun  for  Red  River  with  a  detachment  of 
troo])8,  to  establish  a  fort  among  tlie  Cadi)da(iuious.  AVIien  he  ar- 
rived at  Nateliitoches  (where  a  fort  is  built),  lie  found  M.  IJlondel 
in  command,  and  father  Manuel,  at  the  mission  of  the  Ada^'es,  about 
nine  leagues  distant.     \j 

At  Natchitoclies  he  was  informed  that  Don  Martin  de  Alarconno, 
commandant  of  the  province  of  Lastekas,  had  arrived  from  the  Jlio 
(Bravo)  del  Norte,  where  he  had  established  several  missions,  and  a 
post  at  Espiritu  Santo  Ray,  in  the  vicinity  of  tlie  rivers  (iaudaloupe 
and  St.  Maik.  He  then  went  to  the  country  of  the  Assinays  to  es- 
tablish a  po^t  anning  the  Oadoda(puons.  On  the  Otli  February,  1719, 
M.  de  la  Ilarpe  proceeded  to  the  Assinays  to  prevent  the  Spaniards 
from  making  an  establisiunent  there.  After  a  circuitous  and  very 
difiicult  navigation,  he  arrived  at  the  Nassonites  on  the  21st  April, 
1719.  having  travelled  one  hundred  and  fifty  leagues  in  a  northwest 
direction  from  Natchitoches.  The  Indians  of  this  country,  viz.  :  the 
Nassonites,  Natsoos,  Natchitoches,  Yatassees  and  Cadoda(piious, 
having  been  informed  of  his  arrival,  prepared  a  great  feast  for 
him  and  his  officers,  consisting  of  buffalo  meat  and  smoked  fish. 
During  the  feast,  as  is  the  custom  of  the  Indians,  they  kept  a  pro- 
found silence,  and  after  it  was  over  M.  do  la  Harpo  informed  the 
chiefs  that  the  great  French  King  heard  of  the  wars  of  the  Chicachas 
with  them,  and  had  sent  him  with  warriors  to  live  among  them  and 
to  protect  them  from  their  enemies.  Ujion  which  a  venerable  old 
Cadoda<j[uious  chief  rose  and  replied  it  was  true  that  most  of  their 
nation  had  been  killed  or  made  slaves  of;  that  they  were  now  but 
few  in  number  ;  that  their  friends  the  Canouchcs  (a  name  which  they 
gave  to  the  French.)  had  come  to  protect  them,  for  which  they  re- 
turned their  thanks  to  the  Great  Spirit.  They  knew  the  Nadouehcs 
and  other  wandering  nations  had  been  at  peace  with  them  since  the 
arrival  of  M.  de  la  Salle,  which  was  many  years  ago.  After  he  sat 
down,  M.  de  la  Ilarpe  in(piired  of  them  the  way  to  the  nearest  of  the 
Spanish  settlements.  They  told  him  that  he  could  find  them  at  a 
distance  of  fifty  leagues  off,  among  the  nations  of  the  Nadaco  and 
Amediches,  but  that  ho  could  not  go  there  on  account  of  the  low  wa- 
ter. That  at  sixty  leagues  on  the  right  of  Red  River,  ascending, 
there  were  many  nations  at  war  with  the  Panis,  where  the  Spaniards 
had  established  themselves  ;  and  that  at  ninetv  leagues  to  the  north 
of  their  villages  there  were  powerful  nations  on  the  Rio  Grande,  of 
which  tlicy  knew  but  little.  On  the  27th  April  M  de  la  Ilarpe 
went  to  visit  some  land,  ten  Iea<!rues  from  the  Nassonites,  ou  the  bor- 


KSTABLISHMENT    OF    THE    FRENCII    IN    I.OUtfllANA. 


69 


(Icrs  of  a  rivor,  wlioro  the  Natsoos  formerly  lived.  He  fouiitl  tlio 
situiitioii  l)eautifiil,  the  hind  ricli,  the  prairies  fertile,  and  he  would 
have  liuilt  a  fort  there  but  fi)r  the  desertioti  of  the  Indians  who  a<rreed 
to  furnisii  him  witii  provisions.  The  Cadochujuious  lived,  at  this 
time,  ten  leagues  above  tin;  Xa.  .sonites.  and  the  Nat.-^oo.s  and  Natehi- 
toches  three  leagues  above  them,  on  the  right  of  the  river.  Tlieso 
tribes  are  scattered  over  the  plains,  and  not  living  in  villages, 
which  has  been  the  cause  of  their  dt'striiction.  Ten  ycar.s  bid'ore 
they  numbered  about  four  hundriid  persons,  which  coinprisi'd  some 
families  of  the  Yatassee  nation,  wiio  had  come  to  live  among  tiieni. 
Tlic  Yatassecs  formerly  lived  about  fifty-six  leagues  above  the 
Natchitoches,  on  lied  Kiver,  but  this  nation  has  been  almost  des- 
troyed by  tiio  Chicaehas.  excepting  those  who  sought  refuge  aniung 
the  Natcliitoclies  and  Xassonites. 

The  land  of  this  country  is  generally  flat,  with  some  hills  and  ex- 
tensive prairies.  On  the  bank  of  the  river  it  is  fit  for  tiie  eiiltivatiou 
of  Indian  corn,  tobacco,  indigo  and  cotton.  They  sow  oats  ii;  March 
and  harvest  in   June.     Corn  is  sown  in  April  and  gathered  in  Jnly. 

Tlic  common  trees  of  the  country  are  the  cypress.  ])iiie,  catali)a, 
ash,  willow,  red  and  white  laurel,  walnut,  |dnm,  mulberry  and  paean. 
The  prairies  are  filled  with  strawberries,  mushrooms,  wild  onions  and 
purslain.  IJufi'aloes,  bears,  stags,  deer,  roebucks,  hares,  rabbits,  tur- 
keys, geese,  ducks,  swans,  partridges,  lapwings,  ring-doves,  starlings, 
birds  of  prey  and  cardinals,  the  plumage  of  which  is  very  gorgeous 
and  much  prized  in  Europe,  are  every  where  to  be  seen. 

M.  de  la  Ilarpe  fixed  his  establishment  upon  the  land  of  the 
Nassonitcs.  in  latitude  33'-'  55,  distant  eighteen  leagues  in  a  straight 
line  from  Natcliitoclies. 

On  the  10th  December,  171!^.  he  received  a  letter  from  M.  do 
13ienville.  New  Orleans,  for  Don  Martin  D'Alareonnc,  which  he  sent 
to  the  Assinays  village  by  Saint  Francois,  a  corporal  of  the  garrison, 
who  spoke  several  Indian  languages,  and  at  the  same  time  he  ad- 
dressed to  Don  Martin  the  following  letter ; — 

MONSIK.CR, 

I  am  cliarged  with  a  U'ttcr  from  M.  do  Bicnvilli',  C(mniianilinf!;  General 
of  the  I'roviiicc  of  Louisiana,  wliicli  I  liave  tlie  lionor  of  scnditij;  you. 
In  coiiliding-  to  nn;  tlie  jjost  of  tlie  Nassonitcs.  lie  litis  requested  iiic  to  render 
all  the  services  in  my  i)o\ver  to  the  .Spanish  nation, 

I  can  assure  you  Sir,  nothing;  can  give  me  more  ))leasure  than  to  execute 
his  orders  on  every  occasion  in  which  they  may  he  needed. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  j\IoMsieur, 

Yours,  &c,, 

De  r,A  II.uiPR. 


.Ill 


is':i 


) 


!l    I 


70 


inarnnicAL  collections  op  Louisiana. 


M.  do  la  Harpc  liiivinj»  been  instructed  by  tlio  Western  Company 
to  open  a  trade  with  tlie  Spaniards  of  tlie.sc  province-^,  lie  deenied  it 
advisable  to  address  the  following  letter  to  Father  Murcillo,  superior 
of  the  missions  of  Lastikas : 

Rkvkrkvd  Fathku, 

Tlic  iiiCoiniiitioii  wliicli  1ms  bei'n  gfivcn  nic  of  your  reverence,  ami  the  pro- 
found rfs|H'et  I  liiivu  t\>v  your  poNitidii.  indiici's  um  to  writo  to  you  and 
oIKr  my  .services  in  tlicso  districts,  wliicli  I  comnmnd  by  tlic  orders  nl'  the 
Kiiif;.  my  master.  Our  iiroxiiiiity  increases  my  desire  to  Imvo  iiii  interview 
witli  you,  and  it  will  depend  npon  you  wiietiier  I  go  to  tiic  Assiniiys  to 
see  you.  or  open  a  eorrcs|iondtncc  wiiidi  may  be  eciuiiliy  advantageous  to  both 
of  us. 

Tlu'  conversion  of  tin;  heathen  sliould  occn])y  tlie  attention  of  ail  good 
Christians.  I  know  tiiat  some  aid  is  iiidispeiisabK;  to  the  success  of  the  gospel 
anion;:  tliem.  Your  zeal  is  very  great,  but  you  must  at  times  need  iiel{). 
Touched  by  thes(^  considerations,  I  now  oiler  yon  tlu^  mean.s  of  olitaining  it. 
Inform  your  friends  of  New  Mexico  and  Boca  de  Leon,  that  tlicy  can  procnro 
at  the  Nassotiites  or  Natcliitoclies,  all  the  goods  they  may  need  at  a  moderate 
price,  upon  which  1  will  allow  you  a  conunission  of  two  or  three  i)er  ceiU.  on 
all  sales  that  may  be  made,  and  thus  you  may  have  it  in  your  power  to  estab- 
lish your  mis.sions  upon  a  solid  basis. 

Receive.  Reverend  Father,  the  offers  of  a  heart  truly  devoted  to  you,  in 
which  charity  has  more  a  part  than  any  other  consideration. 

I  am,  &c.,  &c., 

Dk  la  Hakpi:. 


On  the  12th  May,  1719,  a  Nassonite  Chief  assured  M.  do  la 
Harpc  that  metallic  ores  were  to  bo  found  in  the  mountains,  about 
forty  leagues  to  the  north,  and  that  he  would  conduct  him  thither. 
As  the  road  was  then  infested  with  ho.stile  Indians,  he  took  with 
him  nine  soldiers  and  set  out  for  the  mountains.  For  the  first  three 
days  the  guides  behaved  well,  but  on  arriving  in  the  prairies  in  sight 
of  the  mountains,  they  perceived  a  smoke,  and  nothing  could  per- 
suade them  to  go  any  farther.  They  returned  the  same  night,  and 
if  it  had  not  been  for  the  strict  watch  we  kept,  we  should  have 
been  surprised  by  a  party  of  Osages.  On  the  20th,  M,  do  la  Ilarpe 
sent  a  detachment  to  make  salt  from  a  spring  about  ten  leagues  in  a 
north-east  direction  from  camp.  On  the  j'ltli  June,  he  dispatched 
MM  Mustel  and  Durivage,  with  six  soldiers  and  some  Indians,  with 
presents,  to  make  discoveries,  and  with  instructions  how  to  behave 
if  they  saw  any  Spaniards.  On  the  6th  June,  the  corporal  which 
M.  de  la  Ilarpe  had  sent  to  the  Assinays,  arrived  with  some  Chiefs 
of  the  Nadaco  nation,  bringing  with  him  a  letter  from  Don  Martin 
D'Allarconne,  and  one  from  Father  Marcillo. 


ESTADI-IflllMENT    OK    THE    TRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA.  ti 

Dim  Mar/ifi  D Allarconnc  to  M.  dc  la  Harjw. 

Tri!*ity  RivtR,  May  2<),  1T19. 
MoNSIEI'R, 

I  am  very  sensible  of  tlu'  poUfonosH  tliiit  M.  tic  Biciivillo  iind  yourself  have 
liml  the  gooilness  to  .show  inc.  Tlie  onliis  I  have  received  from  tlie  Kiitj,'  my 
muster  arc  to  niiiiiitiiin  a  ^ikkI  iiiKlt'istiiiiiliiii;  with  tiie  Freiicli  of  T.oiiisiaiui; 
my  own  iiicliiiations  leail  me  e(|iially  to  oiler  tlieiii  all  the  seiviees  in  my  power  j 
but  I  am  eompelled  to  say  that  your  arrival  at  the  Nassonite  village  Mirprisos 
me  very  much.  Your  (Jovernor  eoiild  not  be  ii;iiorant  that  (he  pust  you  now 
oeeu])y  belimgs  to  my  govermuent,  ami  that  all  the  lands  west  of  the  Nassonitcs 
are  dependencies  of  New  Mexico. 

I  I'ounsel  you  to  give  advict;  of  this  to  M  d(!  Bienville,  or  you  will  force  nio 
to  oblige  you  to  abandon  lands  that  the  French  have  no  riglit  to  oecupy. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be.  &c., 

D  Al.LAliCONNE. 


M 

f  ''1 


Father  Marcillo  to  M.  dc  la  Harpc : 

AssiNAVs,  May  'JI,  1719. 
MoN.SrElIR, 

I  am  advised  of  your  arrival  anioii;-^  the  Nassoiiites,  and  from  the  inl'iirnui- 
tion  I  have  received  from  our  brothers  at  the  Adayes,  1  (K'.sire  to  make  your 
ac(|Uiiintan('e. 

The  correspondence  which  you  i)ro|)ose  to  opvn  with  me  on  the  basis  of 
charity  and  friendship,  meets  with  my  warm  approliation,  aiul  1  shall  write  to 
my  frii'uds  of  your  wishes.  But  as  it  is  not  j)roper  for  a  I'riist  to  engage  in 
commerce.  I  propose  that  our  correspondence  shall  be  kept  secret  especially  aa 
I  am  on  terms  of  friendshii)  with  Don  Martin  D'Allarcoime,  who  will  not,  I  be- 
lieve, remain  long  in  this  iirovince,  as  many  coni[)laiiits  have  been  made  against 
him  for  not  executing  the  orders  of  the  Viceroy. 

Accei)t,  Monsieur,  the  assurances  of  my  respect  and  esteem, 

Marcu.i.o. 

On  the  8th  July,  the  Chiefs  of  the  Nadaco  nation,  after  having 
sung  the  calumet  of  peace,  returned  to  their  village  with  the  follow- 
ing letter  from  M.  de  la  llarpe  to  Don  Martin  D'Allarconno : 


ii 


M.  de  la  ITarpc  to  Don  Martin  DAllarconne  : 

Nassomte,  JiLY  8,  1719. 
MONSIKUR, 

The  orders  from  his  Catholic  jMaJesty  to  maintain  a  good  understanding 
with  the  French  of  Louisiana,  and  tlie  kind  intentions  you  have  youist'lf  ex- 
pressed towards  them,  accord  but  little  witli  your  iiroceedings.  Permit  me  to 
inform  you  that  i\I.  de  Bienville  is  perfectly  informed  of  the  limits  of  his 
govennnent  and  is  vi'ry  certain  that  the  |)ost  of  Nassonite  is  not  a  <li'penileney 
of  his  Catholic  Majesty,  lie  knows  also,  that  the  j)rovince  of  Lastikas  ot' which 
you  say  you  are  Governor,  is  a  part  of  Louisiana.    M.  de  la  iSaile  took  po.ssession 


••rf 


!i:i 


M 

1 


i\ 


-iiLiil! 


72 


IlIriTdUICAr,    COLLECTIONS    OK    LOUISIANA. 


of  it  in  ltiS."(  ill  till'  iiimif  of  iiis  iiiii>t  Cliiistiiiii  Miijrsty  ;  iiml  sinrc  tin-  iiliovo 
t'|H>i'li    |)ci>MC'<Niim  lias  lii'i'ii  rcticwi'd  (Vnni  tiiiic  to  titiu-. 

I{i's|M'(tiiii,'  llic  [Mt^t  lit"  Xassiiiiitf,  I  caiiiiot  cniiiiiiclii'iiil  liy  what  riirlit  vim 
prctilnl  tlillt  it  I'nrniH  a  part  i>l'  .N'fW  Mexico.  I  be;;  leave  Ik  n|iieseiit  tn  you 
tliiit  Doll  Aiitoiiie  (111  Miroir,  wlio  (iJMi-ovcnMl  New  Mexirn  in  lt',K:!  never  pene- 
tiMtnl  I  iisl  of  that  |ii'o\iiiee  or  the  Kio  Hravo.  It  was  the  Kreiieli  w ho  tirst 
made  alliances  with  the  .savai;e  trilies  in  this  re^jioii ;  ami  it  is  natural  to  con- 
cliule  lli:it  a  river  tliiit  Mows  into  the  .Mississippi,  uud  the  lamls  it  waters,  be- 
long; to  the  KiiiL,'   my  master. 

If  vipii  will  do  nie  the  pli  asiire  to  foine  iutothis  (piarter,  I  will  convinci!  yoii 
tliut  I  holil  a  post  1  know  how  to  (hieuil., 

I  hiivo  tho  honor  to  be,  &c., 

I)i:  I. A  ITuti'c. 

Oil  tlic  l^itli  July,  ilu'  Cliief  of  tlu;  Cimicniis  arrived  with  six 
Ituliiiiis.  Tlieir  villaf^i!  is  on  tiu!  hatik.s  of  flie  Arkansas.  Tin;  Nas- 
sonitcs  evinced  niiicli  pleasure  at  tins  arrival.  'I'liey  sang  tho 
Cfthiniet  and  exeliaii^fcd  presciit.s  with  iM.  de  la  llarpe. 

Oil  th(!  ■iltii.  a  nuIi'liiiKiis  Indian  came  fmni  Nat<'Iiitoclie.s  to  in- 
form the  Nassoiiite.s  that  tiie  Fi'ciich  wore  at  war  with  the  Spaniards, 
and  tiiat  his  (!hief  had  sent  him  to  jiersuinle  tiiem  to  declare  war 
against  the  Froiicii ;  tiiey  replieil,  that  thoy  would  not  in terfero  in 
their  matter.s.      So  tho  messenger  rcsturned. 

On  the  'i'-ttli.  M^I.  M listed  and  Diirivago  returned  from  their  dis- 
coveries witli  two  Indians  of  the  (^iiideliaio  nation.  They  reported 
that  at  a  distance  of  sixty  leagues  west-north-west  from  lied  Uivcr 
they  met  vvitii  a  party  of  Nuhodiches.  l^iiidahos,  Ilnaiiehes  and 
Tancaros.  who  had  just  been  on  an  cxpeditii.'ij  against  the  Kansas, 
and  liad  destroyed  eleven  of  their  villages,  near  tlie  sources  of  lied 
Iliver,  where  tiie  Spaniards  iiad  h(!en  working  some  mines.  These 
tribes  have  no  fixed  abode,  althoiigii  they  number  about  two  thou- 
sand men  dispersed  through  tiie  country.  They  build  their  cabins  of 
buffalo  hides  sewed  togctiier.  Tiio  Tancaros  are  the  most  warlike 
and  tiie  most  savage  of  these  nations  Tliey  cat  one  another,  and 
in  war  tliey  neither  spare  women  nor  children.  They  are  continually 
at  war  with  the  Kansas. 

Tlie  Spaniards  trade  with  the  Kansas  and  give  them  sabres  for 
horses.  Init  never  any  firearms,'  It  would  have  been  well  if  tho 
English  and  French  had  followed  this  rule  with  other  nations.  On 
the  1st  August,  the  corporal  who  had  been  sent  to  the  Assinays  re- 
turned witli  the  chiefs  of  that  nation  to  assure  M  de  la  Ilarpe  of 
their  neutrality  in  tho  war  with  the  Spaniards.  Tiiey  brought  the 
news  that  M.  Blondel,  commander  at  Natchitoches,  had  driven  away 
and  pillaged  the  Franciscan  fatliers  at  tho  Adayes.  The  corporal 
remained  at  the  Trinity  until  the  Spaniards  departed. 


EdTAni.lSllVIKNT    OP    TIIR    FRKiyciC    IS    LOUIfllAVA. 


73 


M.  Jc  111  Ifiirpo  liiiviii;j;  now  notliing  to  fear  frotii  tlio  Spaniurd*", 
ho  believed  it  to  bo  the  interest  of  tlio  coiiiimny  to  explore  tlie  country 
\rliicli  liiid  lieeu  pointed  nut  to  liiiu  in  the  nortliwest,  and  by  this 
mcuiiH  to  etfcot  an  entrance,  by  treating  with  the  Indians,  into  Now 
Mexicro. 

K(»r  this  purpose  he  took  with  hini  an  escort  of  two  ofli(!crs,  three 
soMiers,  two  negroes,  and  several  Indians  who  spoke  the  language  of 
tlio  <-()untry.  and  set  out  on  the  1  1th  August.  On  the  '^lut  he  trav- 
elled tbrtynine  leagues  througli  a  fine  country,  with  sloping  hills  and 
prairies  abounding  in  ganie.  lie  met  a  party  of  Natsoo  Indians  who 
had  been  on  a  hunting  expedition,  and  hud  killed  forty  six  buftaloes 
and  cows.  On  tho  2.id  he  passed  several  prairies,  and  a  little  river 
wliieh  emptied  into  Ued  River.  He  then  entered  into  an  extensive 
prairie,  surrounded  by  mnuMtaiiiH.  On  the  '^tith  lu^  had  gone  eigh- 
teen leagues  further,  wluii  he  mcit  with  a  party  of  Osage  Indian?, 
who  seemed  disposed  to  attack  him,  but  yet  snttered  him  to  pass  on. 
Ou  tho  "^Zth  he  travelled  six  leagues  further,  over  a  beautiful  prairie 
country  filled  with  deer  and  buffalo,  and  entered  the  mountains, 
where  he  found  a  number  of  Indian  huts.  Travelling  six  leagues 
further  he  met  with  a  party  of  Kansas,  who  were  encamped  on  the 
banks  of  the  Ouachita  with  forty  warriors,  and  going  in  pursuit  of 
the  Tancaros.  On  the  -ifsth  ho  passed  a  beautiful  prairie,  inter- 
spersed with  hills,  and  a  large  herd  of  buffaloes  followed  by  a  pack  of 
wolves  as  largo  as  those  of  Franco.  On  tho  2'Jtli  ho  t-avolled  tliree 
leagues  further,  to  a  branch  of  tho  Ouachita  river,  which  had  about 
two  feet  of  water  in  it.  ( )n  its  banks  he  met  a  party  of  Nacodof^hes, 
who  were  occupied  in  smoking  meat. 

On  the  31st  he  travelled  six  leagues  further,  to  a  river  which  is 
a  branch  of  the  Arkansas.  On  the  2d  September  he  advanced  fif- 
teen leagues  through  prairies  and  over  hills,  when  he  catne  to  several 
lead  mines.  Six  leagues  further  on  he  met  six  chiefs  of  nations  who 
had  come  to  meet  him  near  a  village  called  Imaham,  lat.  37^  45', 
and  to  assure  him  of  tlioir  friendship.  31.  do  la  Ilarpe  told  thera 
that  the  groat  chief  of  his  nation  had  sent  him  to  assure  them  of  his 
protection  against  their  enemies,  and  his  desire  was  that  they  should 
be  at  peace  with  each  other.  These  chiefs  had  brought  Indian  bread 
and  smoked  beef,  with  which  they  regaled  the  party.  Tho  ehiefs 
made  31.  do  la  Harpe  dismount  from  his  horse  one  hundred  steps 
from  the  tent  of  the  Tanearo  chief,  when  two  of  the  chiefs  took  him 
to  a  spot  and  seated  him  on  a  buffalo  robe.  The  principal  chiefs 
then  surrounded  him,  and  gave  him  their  hands  as  a  sign  of  their 
friendship.  These  chiefs  beIou",(  dio  the  Tsacaros,  Adayes,  Ouachi- 
5 


1! 


\\'^ 


5' 


I,    (V 


>     3 


a  HlSTOniCAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 

tas.  Ositas,  Asinays  and  Tayas.  They  number  about  four  thousand 
people,  who  live  in  tents,  and  are  the  allies  of  the  Panis,  a  nation  liv- 
ing about  forty  leagues  to  the  north.  'J'he  Panis  are  at  peace  with  the 
Osages,  a  nation  who  are  continually  at  war  with  the  Kansas,  the 
Padoucas,  the  Arioaras,  and  other  tribes.  The  old  chiefs  told  M.  dc 
la  Ilarpe  that  a  white  people  (the  Spaniards  of  New  Mexico.)  traded 
for  metals  with  the  Padoucas,  fifteen  days'  journey  oft",  in  a  west-north- 
west direction,  where  the  mountains  furnish  rock-salt.  On  the 
4th  September  more  than  five  thousand  Liciians  as.sembled  to  chant 
the  calumet  of  peace.  The  old  chiefs  of  the  Arkansas  and  Tayas 
performed  this  ceremony  and  made  speeches.  Late  at  night  M.  do 
la  Ilarpe  retired  to  sleep,  and  in  the  morning  the  chiefs  came  to 
wake  him  up.  They  washed  bis  head  and  feet,  painted  his  face  blue 
and  red,  and  placed  a  cap  of  eagle's  feathers  upon  his  head.  They 
also  threw  buftalo  robes  and  other  presents  at  his  feet,  and  presented 
him  with  a  Kansas  slave,  of  about  eight  years  of  age,  who  had  es- 
caped out  of  seventeen  prisoners,  which  they  had  eaten  at  a  public 
feast.  M.  de  la  Ilarpe  thanked  them  for  their  favors,  and  regretted 
it  had  not  been  in  his  power  to  have  saved  these  unfortunate  victims 
of  their  vengeance. 

M.  do  la  Harpe  concluded  to  leave  three  of  his  men  in  this 
country,  until  the  Governor  of  Louisiana  decided  whether  it  was  ex- 
pedient or  not  to  establish  a  post  here.  But  he  afterwards  changed 
bis  mind,  as  be  was  informed  that  the  Indians  abandoned  their  vil- 
lages in  the  autumn  to  hunt  buftalo.  and  in  the  following  spring 
they  returned  to  sow  Indian  corn,  beans,  and  other  seed,  to  supply 
them  with  food  during  the  summer.  The  soil  of  this  country  is 
black,  light,  and  very  fertile.  It  is  adapted  to  the  cultivation  of 
wheat,  rye,  and  all  kinds  of  grain.  Also  tobacco,  which  the  Indians 
put  up  in  twists,  and  afterwards  flatten  between  two  large  stones. 

The  rivers  furnish  a  variety  of  fish,  and  thj  prairies  an  abund- 
ance ^f  deer,  bufi'alo,  turkeys,  ducks,  and  geese.  The  Indians  build 
their  huts  dome-fashion  out  of  clay  and  reeds,  and  paint  their 
coats  of  arms  on  abide  of  leather,  which  they  throw  over  the  door. 
The  Tancaros  are  the  most  respected  of  all  the  tribes,  and  the  chiefs 
have  the  privilege  of  choosing  their  wives  out  of  any  of  the  villages. 
In  general  they  are  more  intelligent  and  much  better  formed  than 
those  on  the  Mississippi  river,  but  the  fertility  of  their  country  makes 
them  idle  and  dissipated.  The  women  have  regular  features,  and  de- 
vote themselves  to  pleasure.  During  our  stay  among  them,  they 
brought  us  dishes  of  meat  and  corn  every  day,  and  even  disputed 
among  themselves  which  should  give  us  the  most. 


ESTABLISHMENT    OF    THE    FRENPFt    I\    LOUISIANA. 


75 


On  the  ISth,  M.  de  la  Harpe  was  invited  by  the  chief  of  the 
Canicon«  to  feast  at  his  viUage,  about  two  leasruos  from  the  Taiicaros, 
when  ho  met  a  great  many  chiefs,  wlio  professed  a  great  deal  of 
friendship  for  him.  The  ('atiicons  consist  of  a  few  families  who  live 
in  a  very  fertile  country.  They  venerate  the  serpent,  and  worship 
the  Great  Spirit  under  different  forms.  On  the  10th  M.  do  la  Ilarpe 
erected  a  cross  there,  and  jilanted  a  post  near  it.  on  which  he  carved 
the  arms  of  the  King.  On  the  loth,  he  set  out  to  return  to  the 
Nassonis;  antl  on  the  17th,  he  arrived  at  the  Ouacluta  river,  where 
he  waited  to  procure  guides  to  conduct  him  to  the  mountains.  On 
the  1st  October,  ho  was  surprised  by  a  party  of  Kansas  Indians,  and 
had  only  time  to  make  his  escape,  by  leaving  his  baggage  behind. 
His  guide  ran  off",  and  he  was  obliged  to  make  his  way  back,  over 
mountains,  witiiout  any  compass,  to  the  vilhigc  of  the  Nadaf^os, 
where  he  arrived,  after  much  suff"ering.  on  the  llUii  October.  On  the 
27th,  he  set  out  to  return  to  New  Orleans  by  the  river  ;  and  on  the 
21st  November  he  reached  the  portage  of  tlie  Natchitoches,  where 
be  fell  sick.  He  sent  several  Frenchmen  from  this  place  to  the 
Adayes  for  provisions,  as  his  had  nearly  given  out,  and  remained  here 
until  the  4th  December  to  recruit  his  healtii.  The  Indian  doctors 
bled  him  freely,  and  in  two  days  after  he  embarked  in  a  pirogue  to 
cross  tlie  lake  :  and  on  the  10th  he  reached  Natchitoches,  wiiere  he 
recovered  his  health.  On  the  3d  January,  17'iO,  he  departed  for 
New  Orleans,  where  he  arrived  on  the  26th. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  year,  the  Chieachas  massacred  several 
Frenchmen,  and  (at  the  instigation  of  the  English)  declared  war 
against  the  French,  On  the  2Sth  February,  the  King's  S(|uadron, 
commanded  by  M.  de  8aujou,  arrived  at  Da\iphin  Island.  It  con- 
sisted of  the  PAcliiUe.  si.xty  guns,  commanded  by  31.  de  Saujon; 
Ic  Content^  sixty  guns,  by  M.  le  Ro(;hambeau ;  k  Mcrcurc^  fifty-six 
guns,  by  M.  de  Gabaret,  on  which  was  embarked  two  hundred  and 
eight  passengers,  among  whom  were  a  number  of  young  women  taken 
from  the  public  hospitals  of  Paris.  On  the  29th,  M.  de  Bienville 
received  letters  from  M.  de  Boisbriant,  informing  him  tliat  he  had 
established  a  post  on  the  Mississippi  river,  eight  leagues  below  Kas- 
kaskias.  On  the  25th  April,  the  Council  removed  from  office  MM. 
d'Avril,  a  major,  and  Val  de  Terro,  a  captain  of  infantry ;  and  on 
the  same  day  appointed  31.  de  Nojan,  commander  of  the  troops  at 
New  Orleans. 

On  the  4th  May,  the  King's  squadron,  commanded  by  31.  de 
Saujon,  sailed  for  France,  on  board  of  which,  31.  do  Villardo,  one  of 
the  Directory,  embarked  to  render  an  account  of  the  condition  of  the 


|: 


If 


•|! 


I      li 


ill 


' 


III 


76 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


:1^     I 


colony ;  and  on  the  4th  June,  MM.  de  Val  de  Terrc  and  de  Bour- 
mont  embarked  on  board  the  Due  de  Noailics,  to  return  to  Franco. 
Oil  tlio  8th.  the  King's  ships  fAmazonc^  forty  guns,  and  la  Vic- 
toiir,  thirty  guns,  commanded  by  the  MM.  de  Villiors  and  la  laille, 
arrived  at  Dauphin  Island,  with  orders  to  cruise  on  the  coast  of 
Cuba.  Tliese  ships  brought  the  news  of  the  treaty  made  with 
Spain.  The  Council  of  Louisiana  reciuested  the  King's  officers  to 
furnish  thorn  with  provisions  for  the  colony,  which  they  granted,  and 
soon  afterwards  thoy  set  sail  for  France. 

On  the   1st  July,  the  King's  ships  le   Comte  de  Tonlnuse^  sixty- 
four  guns,  commanded  by  M.  do  Vatel ;  and  h  S(tint  Henri,  seventy 
guns,  commanded  by  M.  Douce,  arrived  at  Dauphin  Island  to  aid  the 
company.     They  brought  with  them  from  the  Island  of  St.  Domingo 
a  contagious  fever,  which  carried  off  a  great  number  of  persons  every 
day.     In  the  beginning  of  this  month,  the  ship  I'llerculc,  sixteen 
guns,  arrived  at  Dauphin  Island  from  Guinea,  with  a  cargo  of  negroes 
for  the  colony ;  and  the  Comte  do   Toidouse,  twenty  guns,  sailed  for 
France,  with  a  part  of  the  deserters  from  the  regiment  of  La  Motte. 
On  the  Kjth,  a  brig  arrived  from  Havana,  on  board  of  which  was 
MM.  le  Ulanc,  Longueval,  and  de  Chateaugue,  with  the  troops  that 
had  been  surrendered  at  Pensacola.     She  also  brought  the  news  of 
peace  between  France  and  Spain,  and  an  accoun!;  of  the  force  of  the 
Spanish  sijuadronat  Havana.     One  of  the  French  officers  informed 
M.  de  liicnville  that  the   ship  Murcdud  d^Estres,  thirty-six  guns 
commanded  by  M.  de  la  Godelle,  had  sailed  from  France  in    1718, 
with  troops  and  convicts  for  the  colony,  and  had  never  been  heard  of. 
It  appears  that  the  captain  had  mistaken  the  nioutli   of  the  Missis- 
sippi, and  entered  a  large  bay  in  N.   lat.   29'=',  where  she  ai  chored, 
and  an  epidemic   broke  out   among  the  convicts,  which   produced 
dreadful  havoc.     That  MM.  Billeisle.  Legendre,  Duclos,  Allard,  and 
Corbet,  thought  it  would  be  less  dangerous  for  them  to  land,  well 
provided  with  arms  and  eight  days'   provisions,  than   to  remain  on 
board  in  a  contagious  atmosphere.     Their  hope  was  to  meet  with 
some  friendly  Indians,  who  would  take  them  to  th-    French   settle- 
ments, which  they  conjectured  could  not  be  far  off.     In  the  mean  time 
the  ship  sailed  away  and  was  never  more  heard  of 

On  the  IGth  the  ships  k  Dkc  d'Orkdns  and  Le  Rnhia  arrived 
at  Sliip  I.^land  with  supplies  for  the  colony.  Towards  the  end  of 
this  month  M.  de  Paillou  set  out  'o  prevail  upon  the  Natchez  and 
the  Yasous  to  declare  war  agniust  the  Chicachas.  On  the  3d  August 
le  Comte  de  Toulouse  and  le  Tleiui  set  sail  for  France,  after  having 
distributed  among  the  colonists  a  great  number  o/  supplies ;  and 


.U-^Xif^rfM^KfUS 


ESTABLISHMENT    OF    THE    FRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


77 


likewise,  on  the   same  day,  the  VUercuh  and  la  l^rUuh  departed 
for  France,  on  board  of  which  M3I.  la  Ilarpe,  d'Avril,  and  do  Lon- 


gueval  embarked. 


Copy  of  a  Certificate  given  by  M.  de  Bienville  to  M.  dc  la  IIarj)c. 

Ililo.xi,  .Inly  1.  17J0. 

"  I,  John  Biqtti.st  do  Bienville,  Kni,i,'lit  of  tlio  Military  Order  of  St.  Louis, 
and  ConmianJing  Genenil  in  the  Province  of  Lonisiuiui, 

"Certify,  that  the  M.  Benard  de  lu  Ilarpe.  eoniniander  of  the  troops  sent 
to  the  Cadadoquioiis,  Natsoos,  Natchitoches  and  Nassonites.  Indian  nations  on 
Red  River,  and  on  tlie  confines  of  the  Province  of  Lastekas.  ha.s.  durin!:^  a  resi- 
dence of  eighteen  months  among  them,  eondncted  himself  with  great  prndenco 
and  wisdom.  Tliat  he  has  discovered  other  trihes  of  Indians  on  tlie  Red  and 
Arkansiis  rivers,  adjoining  nations  to  tin;  S[ianiards  in  New  Mc'xico.  and  made 
alliances  with  them  in  tlie  name  of  the  King.  In  faith  of  which  1  have  signed 
this  curtilicate,  and  alli.vcd  the  King's  seal. 


ij 


M.  de  Bienville  to  M.  Law. 

Biloxi,  Au<rn?t  1,  1720. 
S.R  :— 

Knowing  the  interest  you  have  always  taken  in  the  welfare  and  prosperity 
of  this  colony,  I  have  taken  the  litierty  of  commending  to  your  notice  the  .Sieur 
Benard  de  la  Harpe,  who  is  aV)i  nt  to  return  to  France  for  the  licnctit  of  his 
health,  which  has  been  very  much  impaired  by  exposure  in  this  clinnite, 
while  exploring  the  country,  and  perfornung  the  arduous  duties  imposed  upon 
him. 

He  is  a  brave  and  excellent  ollicer,  intelligent,  and  competent  to  conduct 
any  enteriirise  among  the  .Spaniards  that  the  company  may  desire.  He 
speaks  tlieir  langn.i  "id  is  accpiiinted  with  most  of  the  otiiccrs  and  mer- 
chants who  reside  in  aco.  I  hope.  Sir.  that  this  recommendation  will 
promjit  you  to  honor  him  with  some  good  appointment,  so  that  thi.s  colony 
may  reap  the  beuulit  of  his  services. 

I  have  the  honor  to  bo,  &c. 

On  the  20th, tlic  fri<.'ates  le  Tillndfynfi  k  .SV//y///t',comniandod  by  MM. 
Canot  and  Valedon,  arrived  at  tSliip  Island,  on  board  (jf  wliieh  were 
MM.  JMucarty  and  de  la  Maisonneuve,  officers  of  infantry,  who  died  a 
abort  time  after  from  dissipation. 

On  the  24th  August  le  Saint  Andrii.  '21  guns,  cnnmianded  by 
M.  de  Pradaillon.  arrived  with  two  hundred  and  .sixty  persons  for 
the  concession  of  St.  Catherine,  under  the  charge  of  31.  I'avlon  Du- 
nianoir.  By  this  ship  the  company  repeated  their  orders  to  make 
the  settlement  at  St.  Bernard's  Bay.  which  had  been  heretofore  ne- 
glected because  it  did  not  suit  the  view.s  of  the  CJouncil  of  Louisians^ 


1 


(  ,"' 


III! 


i:;'! 


Hi    •f'':'i^ 


m: 


78 


niSTOIUCAI,    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


to  do  so.  M.  IJorrangor  was  dispatched  accordingly,  on  the  23d 
August,  to  examiiio  the  bay,  for  the  purpose  of  founding  a  settle- 
ment. 

On  the  IGth  September  the  ship  k  Profond,  commanded  by  M. 
Cruernicr,  with  a  transport,  arrived  at  Ship  Island  with  two  liundred 
and  forty  passengers,  under  the  charge  of  MM.  Elias  and  Lo 
Bouteaux,  for  M.  Law's  concession.  Tlicse  ships  also  brought  over 
supplies  for  the  concession  of  M.  Diron  d'Artagaetto.* 

Onthe'i'id  tlie  ships /r  .Z'w//«/.r.  conunanded  by  M.  l^igot,  VAd- 
vcntnncr.  by  31.  Le  Blanc,  and  tAlcxandrr,  by  M.  de  la  Sallo.  arrived 
at  Ship  Island  with  M.  de  I'Ornie,  Director  (Jencral,  3IM  Freboul 
and  jMavlot.  and  several  other  persons  and  employes  for  the  colony. 

On  the  0th  November  kt-  Marie,  commanded  by  M.  do  Ponto, 
and  la  Loire,  by  M.  de  Pontcshant,  arrivcdj  at  Ship  Island.  On  the. 
1st  sixty  persons  embarked  for  the  concession  of  de  (iuiche.  and 
the  company  of  Montmort.  in  all  one  hundred  and  eighty-six  persons^ 
including  M.  Levens.  a  director  of  M.  Law's  concession,  31 M.  Mont- 
mort, Boubell  and  Thierry,  officers  of  infantry. 

On  the  Af  Loire  was  embarked  a  number  of  persons  for  the  con« 
cession  of  Sainte  Heine,  under  the  direction  of  3I3I.  Sicard  and 
Tibain. 

On  the  20th,  31.  Beranger,  who  had  been  sent  to  examine  the 
bay  of  St.  Bernard,  arrived  at  Ship  Island.  He  reported  that  he 
had  sailed  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  league*  to  the  west  of  the 
Mississippi,  and  in  lat.  25'^  4.'j  '  he  found  a  bay,  at  the  entrance 
of  which  there  was  a  bar  with  nine  feet  of  water  on  it  at  low  tide® 
He  also  found  in  the  neighborhood  several  Indian  nations,  who  re* 


i 


*  III  order  to  cnconr.as^o  tlio  emigration  of  iiHliistiious  and  useful  citizens  to 
Louisiana,  for  the  pnrjxt.si'  ot'establisliing  regular  agrieiiltural  settlements  upon 
the  fertile  lands  of  the  Mississipj)!  and  its  tributaries,  the  Government  of  Franco 
made  large  grants  or  concessions  of  land  to  inllnential  and  enterjirising  personsj, 
Among  tlu'se  was  one  to  John  Law,  the  great  Freiieh  linaneier,  of  twelve  miles 
square,  about  thirty  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  Arkansas,  whore  he  established 
a  military  poM.  One  on  the  Vazoo.  to  ^L  Le  Blanc  and  others ;  one  at  Natchez, 
to  ISDL  de  Colly  and  Hubert ;  one  on  Red  River,  above  the  Nateiiitoches.  to 
M.  Benard  de  la  Harpe  ;  t)ne  at  I\iint  C(nii)co.  to  M.  dc  JVIeuse ;  one  at  the 
Tunicas,  to  M.  de  8t.  Reino ;  one  at  Baton  Rouge,  to  M.  Diron  d'Artaguettc ; 
one  at  Bayou  Manehac,  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  at  the  Bayagciulas.  to  i\L 
Paris  Duvt'rnay;  one  at  the  Tehoiii)itoulas,  to  M.  de  Muys;  one  at  Cannes* 
brule,  to  the  Marquis  d'Artagnae:  one  (ui  B'a-'k  River,  to  J\L  dr  Villeniouti 
one  on  the  I'aseagoula  River,  to  Madame  de  Cheauniont;  one  at  the  Bay  of  St- 
Louis  ar.d  Old  Biloxi,  to  Madame  de  Mezieres  ;  one  on  the  Ouaeliita,  to  M.  do 

Houssaye;  and  one  at  the  Homiias,  to  the  Marquis  d'Ancenis. 


ESTABLISIIMRNT    OF    THE    FRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


79 


ceived  him  kindly.     A~  iic  b:lieved  this  to  be  St.  Bernard's  Bay.  ho 


left  the 


■)f  Silvcstr 


roant,  and  three  other 


I  man  by  tlie  name 
pcr.sons,  among  a  tribe  of  Indians,  who,  to  all  appearance,  were  An- 
thropophagi or  cannibals. 

On  the  2ith,  the  brig  hi  CJiamrau,  commanded  by  M.  Fouquet, 
arrived  at  Ship  Island,  on  which  was  embarked  sixty  laborers, 
M.  do  Pauger,  Chevalier  de  Saint  Louis,  Engineer,  who  was  to  servo 
under  the  orders  of  M.  do  la  Tour,  who  was  daily  expected. 

On  the  14th  December,  the  ships  PElcphunt  and  k  Drome- 
daire,  commanded  by  MM.  Araelot  and  Saint  Mare,  arrived  at  Ship 
Island  with  two  hundred  and  fifty  passengers  for  the  concession  of 
31.  Le  Blanc,  Minister  of  War,  together  with  M3I.  Dillon,  Fabry, 
Duplessis,  Levillcr,  La  Suze  and  La  Combe,  officers  for  the  conces- 
sion, and  M.  de  la  Tour,  Chevalier  de  Saint  Louis,  and  Chief  En- 
gineer of  the  colony,  with  a  salary  of  8000  livres,  and  MM.  Boispinel 
and  Chavillc,  Assistant  Engineers,  with  salaries  of  .5000  livres  each. 
M.  de  Bizard,  Captain  of  Infantry,  and  M.  Marchand,  Secretary  of 
the  Board  of  Engineers. 

On  the  •20th,  M.  de  Bienville  held  a  council,  at  which  all  the  di- 
rectors and  engineers  assisted.  They  decided  to  abandon  Old  Biloxi, 
and  to  establish  themselves  at  New  Biloxi.  This  proved  to  bo  an 
unfortunate  move,  as  it  was  the  cause  of  the  ruin  of  the  concessions, 
which  might  have  been  avoided  by  removing  the  capital  to  the  banks 
of  the  Mississippi,  where  the  ships  could  find  a  secure  harbor.  It 
was  the  opinion  of  M.  de  Bienville,  as  well  as  of  M.  d'Artaguette, 
the  director-general,  who  had  always  the  welfare  of  the  colony  at 
heart,  that  it  would  be  better  to  fix  it  somewhere  on  the  river.  Ac- 
cordingly M.  do  ]Jienville  proposed  to  send  the  Drumedaire  there, 
which  M.  le  Gac  opposed,  because  M.  Berranger  had  given  a  certifi- 
cate that  this  vessel  could  not  enter  it.  M.  de  Bienville,  however, 
took  up'in  himself  the  responsibility  of  sending  her  there.  On  the 
26th,  M.  Beranger  departed  for  Havana  witli  the  remainder  of  the 
2:)risoners  which  had  been  taken  at  J'ensacola.  On  the  3d  January, 
1721,  the  ships  hi  Gironde  and  hi  Vukt<:c  arrived  at  liiloxi  with 
about  three  hundred  persons  for  the  concessions  of  MM.  de  IMeziers 
and  Cheaumont.  On  the  5th,  hi  Bideinr.  commanded  by  M,  de 
Jveralo,  arrived  with  eighty-one  young  women  from  the  Salpetrirre^ 
of  Paris,  under  the  care  of  Sisters  Gertrude,  Saint  Louis,  and  Marie.* 


lii 

5/';:  i 


in  p 


<  i| 


^  TR.AITl':   FAIT    AVEC    RELIGIKUSKS    URM'MNKS    PAR   LA    COMPAGNIE    DES    INDF-.S, 

La  Conipagnio  ayant  coiLsidcic  ([uo  los  forulenions  Ics  plus  solidi'.sdc  la  colonic 
tJe  k  Loui.sJai.'iio  sout  les  etabli.ss(.'Ojx'iit  ({ui  teudout  a  lavaucemeut  de  la  gloire  de 


I     ■ 


t  :! 


i' 


;!  I 


80 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


On  tho  7th,  the  Siific^  coinraanded  by  M.  Ic  Blanc,  arrived  with 
sixty  ]>c;rsons,  under  tho  care  of  31.  dc  rEjiinas,  for  the  concesKion  of 
the  Marquis  d'Ancenis,  at  tho  Iloumas.     On  the  2Gth,  the  Marie, 


■       :r.;'!i 


|i ;,:, 


„1| 


ii' 


4      ! 


dieu  ct  a  I'cdification  dcs  ptnii'les  tels  que  sont  coux  (lu'elle  y  a  faite  des  R.  P. 
CapiK  ines  I't  dcs  R.  P.  Jcsuitrs  dont  Ic  zt'lc  ct  la  charittj  ass'.iri'iit  Ics  scc^ours 
spirittu'lles  aiix  habitants  et  donrR'ut  uiu!  f^randi;  csiM'nuicL'  de  la  convc^rsion  des 
sauvag'cs,  ct  vouhmt  encore  j»ar  nn  nouvel  I'tahlissomcnt  aussi  pieux  sf»ilao;cr 
les  imuvros  maladcs  ct  pouvoir  au  iiifmo  temps  a  I'lilvcaHon  des  Jcuncs  (lllcs, 
ellc  a  a<,'i'de  ct  acccpto  tos  otn-cs  (|ui  lui  ont  cttS  faitcs  par  lea  scx'urs  Mario 
Trandiepain,  St.  Augustin,  et  Marie  le  Boullanger  Aiiijelique  des  Urselines  d& 
Roiicii.  Assis'i'cs  de  soeiir  Catlicrino  do  Bruscoly  de  St.  Amanil,  in-emiere 
Superieure  des  Urselines  de  Franco,  de  so  charter  du  soin  de  Tliopital  de  la 
Nouville  Orleans,  aux  comlitions  snivantes: 

I.  La  Comi)agnie  entretiendra  au  dit  liopital  six  Rcligicuses  y  compris  la 
superieure  et  leur  accordera  a  cliacune  cin(i  cents  livrcs  ile  gratification  une 
sois  payee  pour  Icur  faciliter  les  moyens  de  fiiire  leur  voyage.  Ellcs  auront  leur 
passage  iiratidt  et  celni  de  (juatre  servantes  sni  les  vais.seaux  de  la  Coniiiagnie. 

II.  Lorsquelles  scrout  arrivees  a  la  Louisiainie  dies  seroiit  miser  en  j)()sse3- 
sion  de  riioi)ital  en  I'etat  qu'il  est  savoir:  la  Maison  etses  deiK-ndences;  le  tout 
parais.sant  consistcr  en  une  salle  ([ui  peut  contenir  60  a  80  maladcs  en  un  corpa 
de  logic  ou  sont  etahlir  recononue,  Ics  inlirmicrs  ct  les  cuisines  et  un  salle  (juo 
r  on  projettait  de  construire  {)our  les  convnilcscens  et  qui  doit  etrc  faite  a  present 
et  en  un  lieu  separe  pour  traitcr  les  maladies  secretes. 

III.  Ces  six  Rcligicuses  s'arrangeri'Ut  dans  ce  logenicnt  du  mieux  qu'il  leur 
sera  jiossible,  en  attemlant  que  la  Coini)agnie  leur  salle  construire  le&  batimens 
conveiiables  a  leur  etablissement  cequi  s'cxecutcra  peu  a  [>cu  suivant  que  le- 
fomls  dc  I'hopital  et  ceux  destiiuJe  auxfbrtilicalions  et  constructions  dc  batiniens 
de  la  colonic  pourront  le  iicrmettrc. 

IV.  II  seni  au  dit  hoi)ital  un  emplaecnw'nt  allc/.  grand  joignant  la 
maison,  tant  pour  y  conscruire  les  nouveaux  batimcns  dont  en  pourra  avoir 
besoin  que  poiu-  y  faire  une  basse  cour  ct  un  jardin  pour  les  Rcligicuses. 

V.  Les  negrcs  et  negresscs,  bestiaux,  meubler,  lits  lingcs  ct  utensilca 
destines  pour  lusage  du  dit  liopital  ct  tout  ce  dont  it  faudra  le  pouvoir  encore 
pour  le  service  des  maladcs  seront  reniis  par  Invcntairc  aux  dites  Rcligicuses. 
qui  seront  tenucs  den  compter  a  la  Compagnic. 

VI.  La  superieure  destincra  une  Religieiises  pour  cconomc,  la  quelle,  ca 
cotte  qualitiS,  serachargte  de  tons  les  eflets.  de  I'liopital  et  dc  tout  cc  qui  y 
sera  fournir  jiour  la  subsistance  d(  s  maladcs.  EUe  destincra  deux  autrcs. 
Religit'uscs  pour  etre  continncllemc,-.,t  occupie  au  service  des  maladcs ;  une 
autre  pour  tenir  I'ecole  des  jcuncs  tilles,  et  la  sixieme  scrvera  d'aid-  a  celles 
qui  .'■e  trouveront  trop  surcharges  dans  leurs  tbnetioas  et  sera  touJM'r?^  i  lutc  a 
remplaccr  celle  de  ses  soeurs,  qui  par  indisposition  serait  hors  d'stat  d'.igir. 

VII.  Les  dites  Religiiaisea  ne  pcnirront  disposer  d'ancunc  fonds  ni  cffets 
appartenant  a  I'hopital  sans  le  contentement  des  administratenrs  portt;  par  de* 
claration  prise  en  leur  cunseil  (pii  si  ticndra  pour  eet  etlet  toutcs  fois  et  quand  et 
serajugea  propre  et  (pii  sera  eumposc.  savoir:  — 

Uu  CoiuMiandant  General  de  la  Colnnie. 

Du  Premier  Couseillcs  du  Conscil  Superieure,  qui  pourra  sc  s'ali.?titucr  vji 
autre  Conscillcs. 


ESTAnLiailMENT    OF    THE    FRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


81 


2c  Profond,  t Alexandre^  and  VArcntio'icr,  sailed  for  France.  On 
the  3d  Feb.,  1721,  the  frigate  hi  HTndnr,  commanded  by  M.  dc  Mar- 
tounc,  arrived  at  Ship  Island  with  ouo  hundred  and  forty-seven 


Du  Procurcur  Gi'iicral  tlu  (lit  Conseil. 

Du  Ciiit';  do  la  Nouvellf  Orleans. 

Du  SuiK'riinirc  dcs  Mis.sions  dcs  .Tcsuitos. 

De  di'ux  notiibli'.s  habitans  qui  y  seront  clns  par  Ic  Conseil  Snperiouro  en 
npiiellant  Ics  adiniui.strateurs  a  rpvk'ction  et  ([ui  scront  changer  tous  les  deux 
ans  ensorti  (piil  on  rcste  iin  dus  deux. 

Et  du  Medecin  entretenu  par  le  RdI  aunuel,  Con.scil  la  Supeiii'ure  do 
riiopltal  aura  entree  lorsfjuellu  aura  (luehiue  chose  a  proposer,  sans  avoir  pour- 
tiint  vuix  deliberative. 

VIII.  II  sera  tcnu  par  los  soins  des  dits  adniinistratenrs  un  compte  cxacto 
des  biens  du  dit  ho|)ital  et  I'emploi  en  sera  fait  par  leurs  ordres.  ainsi  qui  do 
tout  CO  ((ui  pourra  le  revenir  par  lege,  donation,  et  ainendes,  les  (piehs  ne  pour- 
runt  jamais  etre  appli(iut'r  aux  Religieuses. 

IX.  La  compagnie  concedera,  en  propriete  an  dit  hoiiital  un  terrain,  do  knit 
nrjiots  (Ic  fniiUi:  sur  la  i)rofondeur  ordinaire,  le  long  de  (leuve.  le  jjhis  pros  (|u'il 
so  jionrra  do  la  Nuuvelle  Orleans,  a  Iin  d  y  former  un  habitation  (pii  puijsc, 
j)Ourvoir  (bins  la  suite  d  I'entretion  des  Ursolines,  a  cause  du  dit  hopital. 

X.  II  serait  aecorde  par  le  Compagnie  trois  cents  livres  j)ar  an  ;  a  co  lui  qvi 
prendra  soiii  a  la  dito  habitation  pendant  les  cinq  premieres  annot"  "■•'•  ae- 
ment. 

XI.  Tant  que  la  dito  habitation  ne  sera  point  en  ctat  de  pourvoir  a  I'ontre- 
tien  et  a  la  subsistancc  des-dites  Religieuses,  la  comi)agnie  lour  accordera  a 
chaeime  six  cents  livres  \i&v  an,  pour  toutes  ehoses ;  (pii  conunonceront  &.  courir 
du  jour  de  leur  arrivoe  au  jiort  de  rembar(|uement ;  mais  sitot  quo  la  dito 
habitation  prodtiira  suflisammeiit  pimr  fournir  a  leur.s  depenses,  cette  pension 
cossora  de  leur  etre  payee  et  les  dites,  Religieuses  disposeront  de  tous  les 
revenus  dc  Tbabitation,  comme  do  chose  uni(iuement  alfectee  a  leur  en^retien 
et  a  leur  subsistunce. 

XII.  II  sera  I'ourni  par  la  compagnie  pendant  chacun  des  cintj  i)remieres 
annees  do  lostablissement  do  la  dito  habitation  Imit  negros  pieces  d'liido,  qui 
seroiit  par  les  dite  .  Ursulino  jiayes  dans  li;s  memos  termos  et  aux  memos  cou- 
ditiones  regies  i)ou'  los  babitans  au  luoyon  do  (juoi  la  compagnie  eossera  di  lour 
payer  la  Pension  imiuello  de  tiOO  li\res  a  obaeu'"'  lors  i  •  I  'xpiration  dos  dites 
cinq  annees  ([ui  commencoront  a  couri'' dn  ji  ur  uc  la  livi.iison  il.s  liuit  pre- 
mieres negi'os. 

XIII.  Si  par  qiu'l  qu'evencmcnt  les  Urs '.!i;ies  cossfiioT-.t  de  ,)rf'"iJro  soin  do 
rhoi)ital.  ellcs  seraiont  obligees  de  ron.ijft'e  ;i  cjux  au  eolles  (pai  les  romi)]ace- 
raiont.  I'lioiiital.  I'liabitation.  et  t(uit  ce  qu  olles  auraient  roeu  par  invontoirc. 
Quant  i'l  ee  (pii  est  do  lours  bai'des  des  meubles,  bestiaux,  negros,  &c.,  (|u'ellos 
auraient  aeipiis  elles  on  disposoraient  conuno  de  elioso  d  elle  appartonant 
ct  seiaient  rrmboursi-es  des  batimons  (prelios  auraient  fait  eonstruirea  leurs  de 
])our,  soit  sur  le  terrain  do  I'bopital  soit  sur  I'liabitation,  pourvu  ((Ue  les  dites 
con.^truitions  eussent  tte  faites  du  contentemont  do  Conseil  Suporieure.  Ellos 
seraiont  au.ssi  remboursee  do  la  depouso  des  del'ricUes  faite  sur  le  terrain  do 


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I'    i: 


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82 


ni3TOniCAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


Swiss,  commanded  by  Sieur  dc  Morveilleaux.  IJy  this  vessel  M.  dc 
Bienville  received  a  letter  from  the  "Western  Company,  dated  Slat 
October,    17"iO,  in  which  they  wrote  to  him,  that  it  was  with   pain 

rhiiliitiition  ;  le  tout  suivaiit  restimation  i|ui  en  scrait  fiiitc  no  pouvaiit  k's  ditcs 
Rflif^'ifuses,  otru  obligeus  do  remottro  a  lenrs  Successseurs  ((ue  c:o  <|u'l'11cs 
iiuraiciit  rcrii  dc  la  Cniiipairiiii;  ct  do  riin]>ital. 

XIV.  Na  Coiiipairiiii;  fcra  fotirnir  aux  ditos  Ruligiuusos  tons  cu  iiui  situ  ne- 
ccssairc  pour  la  sul)!sistaiicc  des  nialadcs  de  I'liopital  ft  recononie  s'cu  cliarf,'era 
on  rocottc stir  uu  roi;istrc  iiaraplu-  paries  Adiniiiistratours,  on  ouviiint  nnonuipto 
a  cluujuc  nature  ile  vivi-es  ;  dans  le  quel  registi'o  oUe  jiortora  tontos  les  euiisoni- 
niatlons,  jour  i)ar  jour;  jxiur  etro  los  dits  coniptos,  arretes  par  le.s  Adniinistra- 
tcurs  a  la  (in  do  oha<iiie  niois. 

XV.  Mais,  ooinme  il  convient  que  les  Religiou.sos  ayant  la  libeite  do  vivre  A 
luur  nianiore.  olios  auiont  pnurolles,  on  particulior,  une  depositairo  do  i'liopital 
ct  qui  sora  ooniptablo  ii  sa  Superieuru,  jiour  ]iourv()ir  aux  bosoins  des  scours 
sur  lours  t'onde  conuiio  jionsions  I't  rovoiiue  do  lliabitation.  ot  olios  so  i^rouvor-» 
norout  pour  I'lnterior  do  la  Maison,  scion  lours  regies  et  lesprit  do  lour  In.sti- 
tutos,  sans  (pio  le  service  do  i'liopital  en  souUVe  lo  iiioins  du  nioiide. 

XVI.  La  Superiour  f'eni  tenir  un  Journal  exactc  dos  maladies  (pii  ontreront 
au  dit  liopital  et  do  ceux  ([ui  en  sortiront  par  deciis  ou  autroinent. 

XVII.  Tons  inalades  de  maladies  ordinairos  et  non  incurables  [soront  rccus 
a,  riioi)ital,  sur  un  medioin  ot,  en  son  absonoo,  du  cliirur;.cien  major  ot,  s'ils 
sont  pauvres  ils  feront  t;aites  gratis,  en  rapportant  un  certiticato  de  lour  cure, 
vise  du  I'rocuroiir-Genoral  comiue  ils  n'ontjias  \v.  nioyen  di-  payer. 

XVIII.  Los  liabitans(iui  no  so  trouvoroiit  pas  dans  lo  niomecas  ((ui  so  feront 
porter  a.  Tliopital  seroiit  obliges  do  jiayor  par  la  somnie  qui  sora  n-gloc  jiar  les 
Administrateur  de  I'liopital  ot  cos  dorniors  soront  roniis  a  rEconoinie  pour  eiji 
compter. 

XIX.  Tons  gens  au  service  de  la  Compagnios  (pii  .soront  malades  soront  rc» 
cus  par  pn'lei'onco  a,  I'liopital  et  les  rations  dont  ils  jouissont  appartiendrait 
au  dit  liopital  aiiquol  il  on  sora  tetiu  coniptc  par  la  Compagnie  pour  le  temps 
qu1s  y  auront  segourne. 

XX.  II  sera  pareillement  tenir  compte  audit  liopital  du  prot  dos  soldats  mte 
lades  pendant  lo  sejour  (pi'  ils  y  feront. 

XXI.  Les  Administrators  auront  attention  d'etablir  audit  liojiital  un  liei| 
separt;  ot  distingue  ou  les  otiiciors  et  em.  loyes  de  la  Comiiagnie  cjui  soront  ma- 
lades puissent  se  fuire  porter  pour  y  ctre  traites  ct  los  Adniinistrareurs  region, 
rout  so  qui  sera  retenu  jiour  cluKiue  journeo  sur  les  appoiutcmens  dos  dits  oili® 
ciers  ot  employes  au  prolit  do  I'liopital. 

XXII.  Le  Roligiouses  qui  auront  soin  de  malades  permetront  point  (ju*® 
aucun  deux,  memo  dos  coiir  a  le  scour,  prennant  d'autres  aliments  que  ccu^ 
qui  soront  foumir  de  la  maison. 

XXIII.  Pour  doiiner  audit  hopital  les  moyens  dc  pourvoir  a  uno  partio  de 
scs  depenses.  il  liii  sera  concede  par  la  Compagnie,  le  jdus  pros  ((u'il  so  pourra 
do  la  maison  du  dit  liojiital,  mi  terrain  de  huit  arpons  de  front  sur  sa  profundeur 
ordinaire  pour  v  former,  uiu'  habitation  sur  hKiuello  il  sera  ciiltive  des  vivres 
et  eleve  dos  Bestiaux  pour  la  consonimation  de  la  mai>on.  et  les  rt'veiiuos  dc 
cette  liabitatiou  eu  quolque  chose  qu'ls  puissant  consistor,  appartiondi'out  audit 


MMMa 


ESTAIlMSIlMnXT    OF    Till',    FKF.NCrr    IS    LOLISfANA. 


83 


tlioy  were  informed  of  the  (lisa<,'rccment  between  liini  and  the  direc- 
tors of  the  company,  which  had  caused  so  much  ci infusion  in  its  af- 
fairs; tliat  tlie  effect  it  had  produced  throughout  France  was  very 
unfavorable  to  its  prosperity ;  tluit  his  royal  highness  liad  ]>ecn  in- 
formed of  these  disorders,  and  believed  him  to  be  the  autiior  of  them. 
Hut,  notwithstanding  tliese  reports,  tlioy  now  create  him  a  l>rigadier- 
general  of  tlie  troops,  and  knight  of  the  military  ordi'r  of  Saint  liOuis. 
That  it  was  in  contemplation  to  appoint  a  direct(»r  general  for  the 
colony,  in  order  to  prevent  any  further  difficulties  from  arising  here- 
after. 

This  letter  made  a  deep  impression  upon  31.  de  Bienville,  not- 
withstanding the  ai>[irobation  of  his  prince,  and  the  further  honor;? 


liopital.  I\Iais  il  sera  oin uit  an  comiite  ijiutieiilicr  ii  la  ditc  lialiitation  dans 
Ie(|iiel  elle  .sera  di'liitec  do  tout  co  ([ui  lui  sera  I'mirni  ]>ar  la  Conipatjiuo,  credit 
tec  do  ses  i)riidiiits,  alin  (iiie,  (juand  le  dit  lKii)ital  sera  en  etat  do  se  posser  des 
cliarites  de  la  Ceiiipiiijnie,  il  soit  teiiu  d(!  piiyer  a  la  dlte  compaijnie  les  soinmes 
«lunt  il  lui  .sera  redevable  \nnu-  la  ditc  lialiitation. 

XXIV.  Lorsqiio  les  IleiiKieuse.s  le  pourront  I'aire  comniodenient,  elles  pren* 
droiit,  si  elles  lejugent  a  i)roi)es,  des  (illes  i)en.sionaires,  sur  le  pied  (juo  la  Su- 
perieun;  laura,  rt''i,'li;,  et  le  iiaymeiit  des  iieiisioiis  sera  reiiiis  eiitre  les  mains  do 
la  Deiiositaire  des  Relii^ieuses,  mais  aueuiies  de  eelles  (jui  seront  detournees  ni 
ajjpliipiees  au  soin  et  i\  I'education  des  jiensionnaires, 

XXV.  Aassitot  i|ue  le.s  reveiui  I'iiabitation  seroiit  assez  forts  jiour  I'entrc- 
tien  et  la  siilisi.staiiee  des  dites  six  reli^neuses,  elles  jidurreiit  auf,^iiieiitt!  leur 
nombre,  Si  elles  lo  jugent  ii  jiroper,  ii  jjroportioii  des  dits  revoiiu  et  le  passage 
seulement  sera  aceorde  gratis  a  eelles  ipi'  elles  seront  veiiir  de  France ;  inais 
elles  ne  pourrunt  ixiint  reeevoir  Ri'ligjeuso  aueune  (illo  mn'  dans  le  pays,  sans 
ia  permission  ct  Tagrement  dn  Conseil. 

XXVI.  Si  (iuel((ue  Ri'ligieuse,  ne  pourant  s'acconioder  du  pays,  on  pour 
siueliprantre  niison  ])artieuliere.  etait  obligee  do  rejiasser  en  France,  elle  aura 
son  passage  gratis  pour  elle  et  une  servanto  et  la  pension  cessara  du  jour  du 
i'enibarquenie'nt. 

XXVII.  Si  ijiieLjuc  Religieuse  devenait,  par  iiifirmetr-,  liors  d'etat  d'agir,B 
elle  no  fera  plus  partie  du  nombre  (U's  six  <{ui  doivent  etre  entretennes  et  ce- 
pondant  elle  sera  egalenient  traitee  pendant  sa  vie  aux  depens  di;  I'liopital  au 
casque  les  religieuses  ne  I'ussent  pas  '.'noorer  en  etat  de  se  passer  de  ee  seeours. 

XXVIII.  Lo  present  Traite  sera  adressc  au  Conseil  Superieur,  de  la  Lonisi- 
anne  pour  y  utre  enri'gistre  et,  en  cas  de  contestation  sur  les  articles  qa"il  con- 
tient,  elles  seront  decidees  par  le  dit  Conseil  au  Jugenu'Ut  du  quel  les  parties 
so  sont  soumises. 

Fait  ti  Paris,  en  I'liotel  do  la  Conipagnic  de  Jndes  le  Ultli  Srptembre,  17-C. 
Signe,  I'Abbe  Raguet.  .T.  ]\Iorin,  Dartaguet  Diron.  Castanier,  P.  Saintard,  Des« 
h.ayer,  Froninget  et  Lan<reois.  Sicur  Catherine  de  Hruseoly  de  St .  Armand, 
Premiere  Suiierieure  iles  Ursulines  de  Franee.  Steur  Marie  Traneliepain.  St.  Au- 
gustin,  Superieure.  et  Seeur  Marie  Anno  de  BouUenger,  Angeli(iue  Deposituive^ 
des  Ursulines  de  RoueUc 


84 


HISTORICAL    COLLnCTfON'S    OF    I.OUtSIAXA. 


1   '] 


7 


confcrrpil  upon  hlin.  M.  Ic  lUanc,  tlio  minister  of  war,  wrote  liim  a 
letter  fit  tlie  same  time,  and  couched  in  similar  langiiaj^c,  wliicli  so 
ninrtifiod  liim  tliat  Ik;  decided  at  once  to  write  a  letter  to  M.  Ic  due 
d'OrleauH,  iiiforiiiinj^  liim  tliat  lie  was  scnsiMe  of  tin;  lionors  eotiferred 
upon  him,  hut  that  they  eould  'lot  make  up  fur  tlio  loss  of  the  displea- 
sure of  ills  prince.  Tliat  the  condition  of  the  colony  should  not  be  attri- 
butoil  to  any  neglect  of  his,  but  to  the  want  of  the  receipt  of  the  ne- 
cessary supplies,  and  to  the  extravagant  powers  granted  to  the  board 
of  directors. 

The  Western  Company  recommended  them  to  have  a  good  under- 
standing with  M.  de  Vaudreuil.  Governor  of  Canada,  in  regard  to  tho 
wars  with  the  Indians;  ordered  that  tlie  post  established  by  M.  do 
IJoisbriant.  nine  leagues  aliove  the  village  of  the  Kaskaskias.  should 
be  called  Fort  Chartres  ;  that  at  Biloxi.  Fort  Louis;  that  at  Mobile, 
Fort  Conde.*   ,()u  tho  21st,  M.  do  I'auger  set  out  from  liiloxi,  to 

*  Loniifiana,  in  IT'2;?,  was  divided  into  nine  civil  and  military  <listrit'ts,  as 
follows,  viz:  1st,  tlio  (listriet  of  till!  Alihainons ;  2d,  of  .Mohilc:  .'id,  of  Hiloxi; 
4tli,  of  Niitchcz;  5tli,  of  New  Orleaii.s;  Otli,  of  Yazoo;  Ttli.  of  Illinois;  Htli.  of 
Arkan,sas  ;  and  Uth,  of  Natcliitoelios.  Eaeli  was  [jroteetcil  by  a  fort,  and  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  a  coniuiaudant  and  judge,  who  administered  the  military 
and  civil  concerns  of  each. 

Fort  C I i.uiTu !••..■(  was  the  liead-fiuartera  of  the  commandant  of  Upper  Loui- 
siana, and  was  dfcmed  one  of  the  strongest  French  posts  in  North  America.  It 
was  erected  in  the  vicinity  of  Prairie  du  Roclicr,  (in  ITliO.)  aliont  one  mill,-  and 
a  half  from  the  river  bank,  abimt  twenty-lives  miles  below  Ka.sUaskias.  Its 
form  was  ([undrilateral,  with  four  bastions,  built  of  stone,  and  well  cemented 
with  lime.  F.ach  >ide  was  three  hundred  and  forty  feet  in  length,  tin;  walls 
were  three  feet  thick  and  fifteen  feet  high.  Within  the  walls  were  spacious 
stone  barracks,  a  spacious  magazine,  m'cU,  &c.  The  cornices  and  casements, 
port-holes  or  loo])s,  were  of  solid  blocks  of  stone.  In  1770,  the  river  broke 
through  its  banks,  and  in  two  years  afterwards,  two  of  its  bastions  fell  into  the 
river.  It  was  then  sullered  to  fall  into  decay,  and  it  is  now  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  and  pictures(|ue  ruins  in  the  valley  of  the  JNIississippi. 

Four  Ros.Ar.iK,  at  the  Natchez,  stood  on  the  suimnit  of  a  hill  about  six  hun« 
dred  and  seventy  yards  from  the  shore  of  the  river,  and  about  one  hundred 
and  eighty  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  water,  overlooking  ii  1 1'autiful  cham- 
j)aign  country,  and  the  river  for  many  miles  both  up  and  down.  It  was  an 
irregular  pentagon,  witliout  bastions,  and  built  of  thick  plank.  Thi^  buildings 
within  consisted  of  a  stone  house,  magazine,  houses  for  the  oflicers  and  bar- 
racks for  soldiers.  The  diteli  surrounding  it  was  ])artly  natural  and  partly 
artificial,  and  in  most  jilaces  niiU'teen  feet  from  the  bottom  to  thi;  tof)  of  tho 
rampart.  iM.  de  Bienville  named  it  Rosalie  in  honor  of  Madame  la  duchessoo 
de  Pontehartrain.  By  the  sliding  and  caving  in  of  the  Jianks  of  the  river,  its 
huge  bastions  became  nearly  all  >li'Stroycd,  still  it  is  one  of  the  most  interesting 
and  pictures(|uc  s])ots  that  the  traveller  can  visit  in  the  delta  of  the  Mississippi® 
The  fort  at  Point  Coupkk  was  a  (luadrangle  with  four  bastions,  built  with 
stockades  ou  the  west  bank  of  the  Mississippi  river. 


F.rfTAni-rSIIMENT    OV    TUK    FRENCH    IN    I,Oi:if<I ANA. 


85 


make  a  j»laii  of  Mobile  and  a  rccumiaisHanco  of  Muhilo  river  to  tlio 
wliito  l)liitfs,  «ituatcdHix  Ica^^ueM  from  tlio  (Miieaciias  rivi-r,  and  tliirty 
from    Moliili;      Tlicsc   bliifls  aro  similar  to   tlioso  of  Saint  liuku  at 


FonT  AiiKANHAs  WHS  iri'i'lt'il  ill  Ii'iS.'t,  iitiiiiit  three  li'iii;iiis  rnnii  the  moiilli 
of  tliat  riNcr,  iiml  iilmiit  two  Immlird  yanl.t  IVtmi  llif  WidtT  .side.  It  was 
l)iiilt  nl'  .sUuUjilcs  Mini  till'  iiiti'iicir  siilcs  (if  tln'  i>i)ly','iiii  iiicM^iircil  iilimit  one 
liuiiilrcil  ami  i  iirlity  tVi't  lom,'.  iiii>iiiitc<l  witli  I'amioii.  'I'lii'  Arkansa'*  nr  (^iiajias 
Indians  livid  alumt  llircc  N  iif,'iii'.s  almvc  it,  wlicrc  the  cflcliiatiil  .lulm  Law  liaJ 
Ids  iionccssidii,  wiiicii  In'  sfttlrd  witli  (icrnianH.  After  the  faihire  of  his  j,'reat 
fliiaiieial  schemes  the  (Jeriiiaiis  desertcil  the  settieiiieiit  and  luealed  tlieiiiselves 
on  tlie  Mississi|)|)i,  aliiait  tliirty  ndles  above  New  Orli'iiiis.  mi  .-iiiall  plantatioiisi, 
wliicii  has  ever  since  l)urf  llie  name  oC  tln'  German  coast. 

Foui'  ('io;vh:ro;i  It.  afterwarils  called  Sr.  Locis,  was  hiiilt  1i\  Hi'  la  Salle,  in 
tlie  country  i>t'  tlie  llliniiis.  on  ins  lirst  visit  tn  that  eoniitry.  It  was  seated  on 
the  top  of  a  sleep  hluir.  aliout  two  hundred  feet  liii,'li  with  a  spacious  esplanade, 
and  the  river  washiiijaf  its  Itasi;.  M.  de  la  SalK'  likewise  Imili  a  stoekmle  fort  at 
St.  Bernard  s  Day,  Te.\as.  in  Id'-.'),  (jainiiiii;  jiosscssiou  and  jiiiisdiclion  over  all 
the  country  iVoni  the  month  of  the  Mississippi  to  the  llio  (iiaiide  or  Uio  Bravo 
did  Nort<',  of  .Me.xieo. 

Filler  Sr.  Lolls  dk  Caiu.oiikttk  wis  huilt  in  171'.'  liy  tlie  orders  of  M.  do 
Bienville,  on  the  ri;;lit  hank  of  Red  River,  in  iV.  lat.  ;i:;°  ■'>'>'.  as  a  si^ru   of  the 
jurisdiction  of  l''rance  in  that  jiarl  of  Louisiana,  since  called  'I'l  xas      TIk.'  lirst 
Oi,i)  Four  Hii.oxi  has  been  placed  by  .Miijor  Stoddard,  in  his  work  on  Louisiana, 
on  I'erdido  bay    the  ancient  boundary  line  ot'  the  French  and  Spaniards,  about 
twelves  miles  west  of  Pciisacola  bay,  where  he  says  .M    il  lln  i\ille  erected  a  fort 
with  four  bastions  on  which  he  mounted  twelve  cannons,  and  where  it  is  said 
some  reiiiains  of  it  may  still  be  seen.     But  be  this   true  or  not,  ;\I.  d  Iberville, 
beforo  lie  sailed  for  Fiance  in  WM,  built  a  fort  upon  the  nortlic.isi  shore  of  tlio 
bay  of  Bilo.vi   about  (ilteeii  miles  north  of  Ship  Island,  of  four  baslioii.s.  and 
mountiMl  with   twelve  cannons,  (the   remains  of  which   are  still  to  be  .seen,) 
which  was  the  sign  of  the  jurisdiction  of  France   from  the  Kio  IVrdido  to  tliu 
Rio  Bravo  del  \orte.  and  appointed  M.  de  Saiivolle  il^  coniniaiiiler.  who  kept  a 
journal  or  history  of  the  colony  lip  to  the  day  of  his  death    and  which   is  now 
printed  for  the  lirst  time  in  this  woi'k.     The  Bm.i/k  tort,  at   the  mouth   of  tho 
Mississippi  river,  was  built  about  the  same  lime   on  an  i-land    and  mounted 
with  cannon  to  protect  the  French  shiiis  that  am  hoicd  tin  re.  and  to  drive  olf 
the  Spaniards,     l-'irt  Lmiisi/i:  Malilli;  <ir  Comic  was  built  upon  the  river  Mobile, 
and  below  the  toun.  and  about  fifteen  or  si.xtecn  leaL'Ucs  from  the  fort  on 
Dauphin  Island.     It  was  constructed  of  biieks  with   lour  bastions,  mounted 
with   cannons,  after  the  manner  of  Vaubaii.  with   hali-iiiooiis.   deej)   ditches, 
covered  ways  and  glacis;  witii  houses  for  the  olliccis  ainl  barracks  Ibr  the  sol- 
diers.   The  foundations  of  this  fort  are  still  to  be  s(.'cn  occiip}  Ihl'  a  consiih'iablc 
space  in  the   city    of  ]\Iobile.     Although    this  was   the   In  ad-iiuartcis  of  the 
French  (rovernoi  for  many  years,  they  were  al'tcrwards  n  iiio\(  il  to  Xkw'  Ou- 
I..E.VNS,  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississip[)i,  wdiieh  the  Ficncli   ami  afterwards  the 
Spaniards  fortilied.  after  the  maniier  of  Vaubaii.     A  diuh  was  extended  round 
the  city,  of  about  eighteen  feet  in  width,  with  ram|iarts°ol'  earth,  and  palisades 
nearly  six  feet  high  along  the  interior  or  inner  side  ol'  tin  iiio    Five  large  Las- 


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86 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


Paris.  Tlicy  arc  about  two  hundred  feet  high,  and  arc  the  continu- 
ation of  the  ciiain  of  mountains  whicli  run  tlirongh  the  country  from 
northeast  to  southwest.  On  the  2-M,  M.  do  Bienville  was  informed 
of  the  death  of  M.  Blnndcl,  commander  of  a  post  at  Natchitoches, 
The  council  dismissed  M.  de  Saint  Marc,  captain  of  the  Dronwdairr^ 
at  the  request  of  M.  de  la  Tour,  who  made  a  complaint  against  the 
captain  for  having  acted  badly  during  the  voyage  of  the  vessel. 

On  the  1st  March,  the  Deux  Frercs.  commanded  by  M.  Chenot, 
and  Ic  Foudroytiiit^  by  M.  Fontaine,  arrived  with  forty  Germans 
for  the  concession  of  M.  Law,  on  the  Arkansas. 

On  the  14th,  the  frigates  la  Mn/inc  and  Ic  Chnmcaii,  sailed  for 
France,  having  on  board  31.  Ic  Gac,  director  of  the  company,  whose 
departure  was  but  little  regretted. 

On  the  17th,  the  frigate  VAfricain  arrived  with  one  hundred  and 
eighty  negroes,  being  the  remains  of  two  hundred  and  eighty  which 
had  embarked  on  board  in  Africa.  On  the  23d,  Ic  Due  du  Maine, 
thirty-six  guns,  arrived  with  three  hundred  and  ninety-four  negroes, 
being  the  remains  of  four  hundred  and  fifty-three  who  had  Bailed 
from  Africa  about  the  .same  time. 

On  the  Ith  April,  M.  Berranger  was  sent  to  Cape  Francais  to 
purchase  corn  for  the  negroes,  who  were  dying  with  hunger  at 
Biloxi  (Fort  Louis).  On  the  5th  April,  31.  Semiars  do  Bcllisle* 
arrived  at  Fort  Louis.  He  was  one  of  the  five  officers  who  had 
landed  from  the  le  Marcdial  d^Fsfrcs,  west  of  the  3Iississippi,  and 
was  left  there.  It  was  reported  that  she  was  lost  on  the  coast.  He 
related  that  they  were  left  upon  the  shore,  and  after  more  than  two 
months'  wandering  were  reduced  to  the  greatest  extremity  for  food. 

tions  were  erected  at  proper  distances,  and  likewise  five  intervening  redoubts. 
The  bastions  wciv  rc'siilarlj'  constructed,  each  of  them  wa.s  furnished  with  a 
bamiuctte,  rampart,  i)iirapL't,  ditch,  covered  way,  and  glacis.  The  curtains  wore 
wholly  formed  with  jjalisades  at  a  small  disitancc  from  each  other,  and  were 
musket  proof;  thoy  Imd  a  banquette  within  and  ditch  and  glatis  witliout.  A 
small  redoubt  or  liivelin  was  placed  in  the  centre  of  each  bastion,  and  all  the 
latter  were  of  snilieient  size  to  admit  of  si.xtecn  embrasures,  four  in  each  face, 
three  in  each  fliink.  and  two  in  the  gorge  facing  the  city.  The  whole  of  which 
was  mounted  with  heavy  cannon  ;  the  southwest  ba.stion  with  a  countergard 
and  traverses,  and  a  small  redoubt  on  the  bank  of  tlie  river.  The  two  forts 
(St.  Charles  and  Conde)  at  the  aiigle.s  facing  the  river,  likewise  mounted  with 
heavy  Spanish  ordnance,  constituted  the  defence  of  the  city,  when  Louisiana 
was  coded  to  the  United  States. 

*  M.  Semiars  de  Bellisle,  knight  of  the  military  order  of  St.  Louis,  was  one 
of  the  bravest  and  mostaccomi)lisiied  oflicers  that  overcame  to  Louisiana.  He 
served  the  colony  in  a  military  and  civil  capacity  for  upwards  ^.f  forty-five  years, 
and  then  retired  to  France,  where  ho  died  in  17G3. 


ESTADLiailMENT    OF    THE    FRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


87 


That  his  companions,  MM.  Corbet,  Allard,  Duclos  and  Logcndrc 
died  from  hunger.  lie  afterwards  fell  in  with  three  Indiana  upon 
an  island  at  the  entrance  of  a  bay,  who  stripped  him  and  took  him 
to  their  nation,  with  whom  he  lived  eighteen  months.  They  took  from 
him  his  i)apers,  which  he  kept  in  a  tin  box,  and  which  afterwards  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  Assinays,  who  sent  them  to  M.  de  Saint  Denis, 
the  commandant  at  Natchitoches,  who  rescued  him  soon  after. 

On  the  17th,  M.  de  Pauger  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  the  mouth 
of  the  Mississippi  to  sound  the  ])asse.s.  IIo  found  a  bar  of  .soft  mud 
nine  hundred  toises  wide,  formed  by  the  meeting  of  the  tide  of  the 
sea  and  the  current  of  the  river,  which  is  here  very  .sluggish.  It 
appeared  to  him  that  some  of  the  pa.S3CS  might  be  closed  up  by  sink- 
ing some  vessels,  which  would  increase  the  velocity  of  the  current,  and 
deepen  the  bar,  on  which  only  about  twelve  feet  water  could  be  found. 
Ho  proposed  to  establish  a  fort  on  the  Lsland  at  the  JJalize,  where 
ships  drawing  sixteen  to  eighteen  feet  might  anchor  in  safety. 

On  the  "JOth,  the  frigate  Id  Nercide,  commanded  by  M.  de 
Chaboisoau.  arrived  with  two  hundred  and  ninety-four  negroes,  being 
the  remains  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  whicli  had  been  put  on  board. 
He  reported  that  the  frigate  Ic  Charles,  with  a  cargo  of  negroes,  had 
been  burnt  at  sea  within  sixty  miles  of  the  coast. '^ On  the  2 1th,  M.  do 
Boisbriant  wrote  to  M.  de  Bienville  from  the  Illinois  that  three  hun- 
dred Spaniards  had  left  Santa  Fe,  the  capital  of  New  Mexico,  for  the 
purpose  of  conquering  the  colony  ;  but  only  seventy  had  put  their 
threat  in  execution,  who  had  arrived  at  the  Kan.sas  river,  where 
they  encountered  the  Octotata  and  Panis  Indians,  who  massacred 
all  except  a  priest,  who  made  his  escape  on  horseback. 

On  the  15th,  V Elephant  Ja  Girondc,  la  hrh:ine.  le  Ducde  Blaine, 
les  Deux  Freres  et  lAj'ricain,  ships  of  the  con.pany,  sailed  for  France. 
On  the  2Gth,  the  Drotnedaire,  drawing  thirteen  feet  of  water,  arrived 
with  supplies  for  the  concessions  of  M.  Law.  On  the  4th  June,  the 
ship  le  Portefaix,  commanded  by  M.  Dufour,  arrived  with  three  hun- 
dred and  thirty  German  passengers,  and  M.  Marigny  de  Mandcville 
(Chevalier  de  Saint  Louis),  the  commander  of  Fort  Conde,  Mobile, 
M.  Daran.sbourg  (captain),  and  thirty  Swedi.<h  officers.  She  also 
brought  the  news  of  M.  Law's  departure  from  France.* 


lyiii 


' 


,■'.1: 


il  ] 


*  John  Law,  a  Scotchman  by  birth,  was  the  comptroller-general  of  the  fi- 
nances of  Franco  when  he  llud  from  that  conntrj'.  Hi-  vas  a  shrewd  financior, 
and  remarkable  for  his  elegance  of  person  and  engaging  convivial  powers,  which 
soon  gained  him  admission  into  the  first  circles  of  fa^llion  in  Europe.  He  trav- 
elled extensively  on  the  continent,  and  whilj  there  examined  with  an  imiuisi- 
tive  eye  the  operations  of  the  principal  banking-houses,  and  especially,  through 


i'    ;' 


[•■'If  ; 

m 

m  f 


II  ^ 


»'  1-.] 


■1 


88 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OP    LOUISIANA. 


About  tins  time  M.  de  Paugcr  sent  in  his  report  on  the  mouth 
of  the  Mississippi  to  M.  do  Bienville,  and  begged  him  to  use  his  in- 
fluence for  abandoning  the  fort  at  Biloxi,  and  fixing  his  head-quar- 

the  assistance  of  a  frieiul.  lie  bocamc  acquainted  with  the  mode  of  doin";  busi- 
ness in  the  great  bank  of  Anisti'idani.  In  1706.  on  his  rt-turn  to  England,  ho 
proposed  to  Parliament  the  establishment  of  a  paper  currreney,  which  was  re- 
jected on  the  ground  that,  if  curikd  inlo  rjfcrl.  it  vcuhl  he  pnjiu/icidl  In  l/ic  laiuhd 
interests  of  tlie  Kiiiudnm.  On  the  death  of  Lonis  XIV.,  he  retired  to  France, 
where  he  was  patroni/.ed  by  the  Duke  of  Orleans,  Rejreiit,  diuitig  the  minoricy 
of  Louis  XV.  By  Law's  advice,  and  under  his  direction,  some  iini>rovenunts 
wertt  made  in  the  tinances  of  the  kingdom,  and  measures  adojited  for  establish, 
ing  upoti  a  lirmer  basis  the  sinking  credit  of  the  country.  In  connection  with 
his  brother,  he  set  up  a  private  bank  under  the  form  of  the  '•  General  Baidi  of 
Law  &.  Co.,"  and  it  j)roved  to  be  so  productive  to  the  proprietors,  that,  about 
the  close  of  the  year  1718,  the  Duke  of  Orleans  resolved  to  i)atronize  it.  It  was, 
perhaps,  this  circumstance  that  led  to  the  speedy  develojjtnent  of  that  sliipni' 
f/oiis  scheme,  which  had  long  occupied  the  mind  of  Law,  generally  known  as  the 
Mississippi  Sijslem.  The  object  of  the  scheme  was,  to  invest  the  whole  of  the 
national  trade,  with  certain  revenues  arising  from  ditterent  sources,  in  the  hands 
of  one  great  company,  who  might  thus  be  enabled  to  extend  their  commercial 
pn  jects  to  an  inde'hdte  extent,  and  to  extricate  the  French  government  from 
the  enonnous  debt  which  Louis  XIV.  had  bequeathed  it.  By  the  suggestion  of 
Law,  such  a  comi)any  was  actually  instituted,  under  the  name  of  the  '  Western 
or  Mississippi  Company,"  and  to  this  coiujiany  was  granted  tiie  whole  province 
ofLouisiana,  of  wiiich  he  was  appointed  director-general.  Nothing  was  Cora  while 
talked  of  but  this  company,  in  which  every  body  desired  to  hold  shares.  Hon- 
ors were  heaped  upon  him.  and  he  was  elected  a  memlier  of  the  Academy  of 
Sciences.  The  .system  of  Law  continued  for  a  while  to  gain  credit  and  fame, 
because  it  gave  a  sudden  rise  to  the  value  of  i>roperty  of  every  kirid.  Thinking 
men,  however,  soon  jierceived  that  the  necessary  consequences  of  such  a  state 
of  things  would  be  the  (lestniclion  oj  all goveniincnt,  the  stiiimaluiii  of  trade,  and 
the  dissulutinii  oj  all  morals.  The  Companij  speculated  to  a  most  c/iormous  extent, 
and  gave  out  their  paper  without  any  regard  to  its  soundness  ;  hence  the  cool  and 
rellectiug  portion  of  the  country  drew  from  the  bank  enormous  sums  of  gold 
and  silver,  which  finally  left  it  without  a  dollar,  and  two  thousand  six  hundred 
millions  of  paper  dollars  in  the  hands  of  individuals  unredeemed.  All  credit, 
both  public  and  |)rivate,  was  soon  prostrated.  Law  was  stigmatized  and  calum- 
niated ;  the  peoi)le  became  infuriated,  and  he  was  obliged  to  leave  the  country. 
He  passed  through  Brussels  and  Venice,  and  safely  reached  London,  where  he 
lived  sunq)tuously  until  he  heard  of  the  confiscation  of  his  property  in  France, 
when  he  became  embarrassed,  and,  failing  in  the  attempt  to  recover  it,  he  bade 
adieu  to  England,  and  fixed  his  residence  at  Venice,  where  he  died  in  compara- 
tive indigence  on  the  21st  March,  17-J,  in  the  68th  year  of  his  age.  The  fol- 
lowing epitaph  appeared  soon  after : 

Ci  git  cet  Ecossois  celi-bre, 
Ce  calculateur  saiis  egal, 
Qui,  par  Iks  iiglesde  I'algebre, 
A  mis  la  France  k  l'l)i){)i(al. 


KSTABMflllMKNT    OF    THE    FRENCH    IN    LOUli<lANA. 


89 


tors  iirid  principal  sottlctnent  at  New  Orleans.     Couscii[uontly,  he 
afterwards  wrote  to  the  company  on  this  suhjoet. 

On  the  10th,  the  frigate  hi  Fottunc,  tiiirty-six  guns,  arrived  from 
Africa  with  a  cargo  of  three  hundred  and  three  ne[;r()es.*     Oa  the 


The  fiiilure  of  Law's  financial  schemes  fell  heavily  ui)OU  Louisiana.  The 
rnpiil  ox|)aiisl(>n  of  the  circulating  niciliuni  tliroiiglioiit  tlic  province  diirins;  the 
first  tiirct'  years  of  liis  operations,  and  tiiir  t'onsi'iiucnt  siuIiUmi  prostriition  of  all 
business,  at  the  time,  involved  the  interests  of  tiie  comiiany,  and  eml)arrassed 
their  opeiations  for  iidvancini!^  the  popnlationand  prosperity  of  the  province.  But 
who  Would  have  believed  that  in  less  than  one  hundred  and  fifteen  years  from 
that  time  (18.'i5),  the  Valley  of  the  IMissi.s.sippi  would  have  been  the  theatre  of 
delusions  almost  as  jjreut,  midiT  a  new  system  of  credit  held  out  by  banking 
institutions  and  chartered  monopolies  a.s  rotten  and  as  baseluss  as  Law's  Bank 
of  France'? 

*  It  was  soon  found  by  oxi)criment  that  the  F.uropean  constitution  could 
not  stand  the  labors  of  the  field,  but  sickened  and  died  under  the  burning  suns 
of  Louisiana,  and  the  chilling  dews  and  fogs  of  night.  The  Western  Company 
was  tlierefore  compelled  to  introduce  African  negroes  to  cultivate  the  planta- 
tions scattered  on  the  bayous  and  rivers  of  the  lU'lta  of  the  Mississippi,  and  for 
several  years  it  furnished  the  agricultural  interests  of  the  colony  with  several 
hundri'd  annually,  which  was  the  origin  of  African  slavery  in  Louisiana.  And 
as  France  and  Spain,  for  the  ne.xt  half  century,  thus  furnished  their  American 
colonies  with  negroes  for  their  plantations.  Great  Britain,  true  to  her^system  of 
monopolies,  encouraged  by  British  legislation,  and  fostered  by  royal  fav(jr,  sup- 
plied not  oidy  her  own  colonies  with  slave  labor,  but  contendeil  for  the  mono- 
poly of  supplying  both  France  and  Spain.  In  17-1,  M.  de  Bienville  drew  up 
a  code,  containing  all  the  legislation  applicable  to  slaves  in  Louisiana,  which 
remained  in  force  until  180:5.  Its  first  and  third  articles  seem  to  be  strangely 
irrelevant  to  the  matter  of  regulating  slaves,  yet  its  intolerant  spirit  seems  still 
to  govern  the  policy  of  one  of  the  most  enlightened  nations  (Great  Britain)  on 
the  face  of  the  globe,  in  regard  to  the  exclusion  of  Jews  and  Catholics  both 
from  church  and  state. 

BLACK  CODE   OF  I.OllSKtNA. 

L  Decrees  the  expulsion  of  Jews  from  the  colony. 

II.  Makes  it  imperative  on  masters  to  impart  religious  instruction  to  their 
slaves. 

III.  Permits  the  exercise  of  the  Roman  Catholic  creed  only.  Every  other 
mode  of  worship  is  ])rohibited. 

IV.  Negroes  placed  under  the  direction  or  supervision  of  any  other  person 
than  a  Catholic,  are  liable  to  confiscation. 

v.  Sundays  and  holidays  are  to  be  strictly  observed.  All  negroes  found  at 
work  on  these  days  are  to  be  contiscateil. 

VI.  We  forbid  our  white  subjects  of  both  sexes,  to  marry  with  the  blacks, 
under  tlie  penalty  of  being  fined  and  subjecteil  to  some  other  arbitrary  puni.sh- 
nicnt.  We  forbid  all  curates,  priests,  or  missionaries  of  our  secular  or  regular 
clergy,  and  even  our  cha])lains  in  our  navy  to  sanction  such  marriages.  We 
also  forbid  all  our  white  subjects,  and  even  the  manumitted  or  free-born  blacks, 

6 


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Ills. 


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TjH| 


90 


IIISTOUICAL    COLIiKCTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA 


Ifitli  July,  tlio  frigate  !(/  Vrmt.s,  cotmnanik'tl  by  M.  Duniouliii,  ar- 
rived at  Sliip  Isliiiid  witii  M.  Duvergicr,  Diri'ctor-deiieriil  ;  M.  do  la 
lliiri»e,  Coiuiuauder  at  St.  Ueriiard's  Bay  ;  M.  de  lu  (irave,  J)iicctor 

to  live  iti  a  state  of  concu1)ina<!;e  witli  blacks.  Should  there  he  any  Issue  from 
this  kind  dC  iiiiercMiurso.  it  is  inir  will  that  the  pei'sou  so  otJl;iiiliiij.'.  and  the  mas- 
ter of  the  slavi',  shiiuid  pay  cacli  a  line  oC  thrie  hundred  iivrus.  ISiiDuld  said 
issue  he  the  result  of  the  eonenhinage  of  the  master  with  his  slave,  said  master 
shall  not  only  i)ay  the  line,  hut  he  di'|)iivfd  of  the  slavo  and  of  the  ehildrcii,  who 
shall  he  adjudged  to  the  liosjiital  of  the  locality,  and  said  slaves  shall  ho  for- 
cvi-r  ineapahle  of  hcini.'  set  free.  Uut  should  this  illicit  intercourse  liavc  ex- 
isted hitvvccii  a  I'rc'e  hlark  and  his  slave,  when  siud  free  black  had  nolejriiimate 
wife,  and  should  said  black  marry  said  slave  accordinj;  to  the  forms  prt^scribed 
by  the  clmrch,  said  slavi!  shall  be  thi^reby  .set  free,  and  the  children  shall  also 
become  free  ami  le^'itimate  ;  and  in  s\u;h  a  case,  there  shall  be  no  application  of 
the  |)eiialtics  mentioned  in  the  present  article. 

VU.  'I'he  cerenmnies  and  forms  jirescribed  by  the  ordinance  of  Blois,  and 
by  the  edict  of  HI:];*,  for  marria;^'cs,  shall  bo  observed  both  with  regard  to  free 
persons  and  to  slaves.  But  the  consent  of  the  father  and  mother  of  the  slave  is 
not  necessary;  that  of  tin'  master  shall  be  the  oidy  one  re(|uircd. 

VIII.  We  forbid  all  curates  to  proceeil  to  ell'ect  nuirriagcs  between  slaves 
without  proof  of  the  consent  of  their  nuisters;  and  we  also  forbid  all  masters  to 
force  their  slaves  into  any  marriage  against  their  will. 

IX.  Children,  issued  from  the  marriage  of  slaves,  shall  follow  the  condition 
of  their  parents,  and  shall  belong  to  the  master  of  the  wife  and  not  of  the  hus- 
band, if  the  husband  and  wife  have  dillerent  masters. 

X.  if  the  husband  be  a  slave,  and  the  wife  a  free  woman,  it  is  our  will  that 
their  children,  of  whatever  .se.\  they  may  be.  shall  share  the  condition  of  their 
mother,  ami  be  as  free  as  she.  notwithstanding  the  servitu(h' of  their  lather; 
and  if  tlu;  father  be  free  and  the  mother  a  slave,  the  children  shall  all  bo 
slaves. 

XI.  INIasters  shall  have  their  Christian  slaves  buried  in  consecrated 
ground. 

XII.  We  forbid  slaves  to  carry  olTensive  weapons  or  heavy  sticks,  under 
the  penalty  of  being  whipped,  and  of  having  said  weapons  conliscated  for  the 
bcnelit  of  the  person  seizing  the  same.  An  cxcei)tion  is  made  in  favor  of  those 
slaves  who  are  sent  a  hunting  or  a  shooting  by  their  masters,  ami  who  carry 
with  them  a  written  permission  to  that  eflect,  or  are  designated  by  some  known 
mark  or  badge. 

XIII.  We  forbid  slaves  belonging  to  diflerent  masters  to  gather  In  crowds 
either  by<lay  or  by  night,  under  the  jjretext  of  a  wedding,  or  for  any  other  cause, 
either  at  the  dwelling  or  on  the  grounds  of  one  of  their  masters,  or  elsew  here, 
and  much  less  on  the  highways  or  in  secluded  places,  under  the  i)cnalty  of  cor- 
poral punishment  which  shall  not  be  less  than  the  whi|).  In  case  of  freciuent 
otlenccs  of  the  kind,  the  >.;,rnders  shall  be  branded  with  the  mark  of  the  llower 
dc  luce,  and  should  there  be  aggravating  circumstances,  capital  puni>hment 
may  be  ajiplied,  at  the  discretion  of  our  judges.  We  command  all  our  subjects, 
be  they  ollicers  or  not,  to  seize  all  such  otl'enders,  to  arrest  and  conduct  them  to 
prison,  although  there  should  be  no  judgment  against  them. 

XIV.  Masters  who  shall  be  convicted  of  having  permitted  or  tolerated  such 


ESTAnMrtllMENT    OK    TIIK    FRENCH    IV    LOUISIANA. 


01 


of  tlio  Concessions  of  M.  lo  Miiniuis  de  Mezieres,  DeniarclK-,  and 
Dufrenic.  Slie  brought  tlie  Cross  of  St.  Dunis  fir  MM.  do  (Miau- 
tcauguu  and  do  Buisbriuui,  and  to  MM.  lilondel,  Dutisue,  liarnaval, 


gathcriiif^s  us  afori'siiid,  comiK'scd  of  oflitT  slaves  tliiiii  tliuir  own,  shall  be  sni- 
tenci'd.  iiKlividually,  to  indonniily  tlu'ir  ncijLjlilior.s  lur  the  (laniii<,a's  occasioiu  d 
by  .said  ^atlieriiij^s,  and  to  i>ay,  for  tlic  lirst  tiiin;.  a  (iuL-  of  tliirty  livrcs,  and 
doulili'  tliat  sum  on  tlic  rcpi'tition  of  tlm  olloncc. 

XV.  VVu  forliid  ncji^roes  to  sell  any  ooiuinoditics,  provisions,  or  product!  of 
any  kind,  without  tiie  written  jn'rniis.sion  of  tlicir  masters,  or  wifliout  wearing 
their  known  marks  or  hailfj^es,  and  any  persons  |)urehasini,'  any  fhini;  finni  ne- 
groes in  vioknce  of  tiiis  article,  siiall  In-  sentenced  to  pay  a  line  of  l')ili)  livres. 

XVI,  XVII.  XVIII,  XIX,  provide  at  len^'tli  for  the  clotliinij  of  slaves  and  for 
their  subsistence. 

XX.  Slaves  who  shall  not  be  properly  fed,  clad,  and  provided  for  by  their 
masters,  may  give  information  thereof  to  the  attorney-general  of  the  Superior 
Council,  or  to  all  the  other  otiicers  of  justice  of  an  inferior  jurisdiction,  and  may 
put  the  written  exposition  of  tlieir  wrongs  into  tiieir  hands  ;  upon  which  infor- 
mation, and  even  o.x  oflieio,  should  the  intbrmatiou  come  from  another  (juarter, 
the  attorney-general  shall  prosecute  said  masters  without  charging  any  costs  to 
the  complainants.  It  is  our  will  that  this  regulation  be  observed  in  all  accusa- 
tions lor  crimes  or  barbarous  and  inhuman  treatment  brought  by  slaves  against 
their  masters. 

XXI.  Slaves  who  are  disabled  from  working,  either  by  old  age,  disease,  or 
otherwise,  be  the  disease  incurable  or  n(»t,  shall  be  fed  and  provided  for  by 
their  masters;  and  in  case  they  should  have  been  abandoned  by  said  masters, 
said  slaves  shall  be  adjudged  to  tin;  nearest  hospital,  to  which  said  masters 
sliall  be  obliged  to  pay  eight  cents  a  day  for  the  food  and  maintenance  ol"  each 
one  of  these  slaves;  and  for  the  payment  of  this  sum,  said  hospital  shall  have  a 
lien  oti  the  |)lantations  of  the  master. 

XXII.  We  declare  that  slaves  can  have  no  right  to  any  kind  of  property,  and 
that  all  that  they  actpiire,  either  by  their  own  industry  or  by  the  liberality  of 
others,  or  by  any  other  means  or  title  whatever,  shall  Ije  the  full  property  of 
their  masters;  and  the  children  of  said  slaves,  their  fathers  and  mothers,  their 
kindred  or  other  relations,  either  free  or  slaves,  shall  have  no  pretensions  or 
claims  thereto,  either  through  testamentary  dispositions  or  donaticjus  inter  vi- 
vos;  which  dispositions  and  donations  we  declare  null  and  void,  and  also  what- 
ever i)romi.ses  they  may  have  made,  or  whatever  obligations  they  may  h.ivesni)- 
scrilied  to,  as  having  been  entered  into  by  persons  incapable  of  disposing  of  any 
thing  and  of  jiartieipating  to  any  contract. 

XXIII.  Masters  shall  be  responsii)ie  for  what  their  slaves  havedone  by  their 
connnand.  and  also  tor  what  transactions  they  have  permitted  their  slaves  to  do 
in  their  shops,  in  the  particular  line  of  coninieree  with  which  they  weri;  in 
trusted  ;  and  in  ease  said  slaves  should  have  acted  without  the  order  or  antiiori. 
zation  of  their  masters,  said  masters  shall  be  responsible  only  for  so  much  as 
has  turned  to  their  profit;  and  if  siiiil  masters  have  not  ])rolited  by  the  doing oi- 
transaction  of  their  slaves,  the  peculium  which  tin;  masters  have  permitted  the 
slaves  to  own.  shall  be  sulijected  to  all  claims  against  said  slaves,  afterdedncti(m 
made  by  the  masters  of  what  may  bo  due  to  them ;  and  if  said  peculium  should 


i    !i 


I '.: 


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92 


IIISTOKICAL    COI,l.ECTIO\a    OF    LOUISIANA. 


and  de  Noyau,  Captaiii'.sooniinissioiis.  Tlic  arrival  of  M.  Duvorgior, 
caused  8oinc  eiiaiigus  to  bo  iiiadu  in  the  appoiiitmotit  of  officers,  iiiueh 
against  the  wishes  of  M.  de  Jtienvillc.     M.  do   Chateaugue  was  not 


mh 


i  ■  .^i 


consist,  in  wlioli-  or  in  luirt,  of  nu'ribundiscs  in  wliidi  tlir  slaves  liad  permission 
to  trallic.  tlic  masters  .siijili  only  come  in  for  their  share  in  common  with  the 
other  creditors. 

XXIV.  Slaves  shall  be  incapable  of  all  y)ublic  function.^,  and  of  being  consti 
tuted  agents  for  any  other  jierson  than  their  own  masters,  with  jiowers  to 
manage  or  eondnct  any  kind  of  tradi' ;  nor  can  tliey  serve  as  arbitrators  or  ex- 
perts; nor  shall  they  be  calle<l  to  give  their  testimony  eitlier  in  civil  or  in 
criminal  cases,  except  when  it  shall  be  u  matter  of  necessity,  and  only  in  default 
of  white  people ;  but  in  no  case  shall  they  be  iiermitted  to  serve  as  witnesses 
either  for  or  against  their  masters. 

XXV.  Siavi's  shall  never  be  parties  to  ciTil  snits,  either  as  plaintiffs  or  defend- 
ants, nor  shall  they  be  allowed  to  appear  as  complainants  in  criminal  ca.ses.  but 
their  masters  shall  have  the  right  to  act  for  them  in  civil  matters,  and  in  crimi- 
nal ones,  to  demanil  i>unishmint  and  reparation  for  such  outrages  and  excesses 
as  thiir  slaves  may  have  sulfered  from. 

XXVI.  Slaves  may  be  pro.si^cnted  criminally,  without  their  masters  being 
made  i)arties  to  the  trial,  except  they  should  be  indicted  as  accomj)lices ;  and 
said  slaves  shall  be  tried,  at  tir.st  by  the  judges  of  ordinary  jurisdiction,  if  there 
be  any,  and  on  appial,  by  the  Superior  Council,  with  the  same  rules,  formali- 
ties, and  proceedings  observed  for  free  persons,  save  the  exceptions  mentioned 
hereafter. 

XXVir.  The  slave  who,  having  struck  liis  master,  his  mistress,  or  the  hus- 
band of  his  mistress,  or  their  children,  shall  have  j)roduced  a  bruise,  or  the 
shedding  of  blood  in  the  face,  shall  sutler  capital  ])unishment. 

XXVIII.  With  regard  to  outrages  or  acts  of  violence  committed  by  slaves 
against  free  j)ersons.  it  is  our  will  that  they  be  punished  with  severity,  and  even 
with  death,  should  the  case  require  it. 

XXIX.  Thefts  of  importance,  and  even  the  stealing  of  horses,  mares,  mules, 
oxen,  or  cows,  when  executed  by  slaves  or  manumitted  persons,  shall  make  the 
offender  liable  to  corporal,  and  even  to  capital  punishment,  according  to  the 
circumstances  of  the  case. 

XXX.  The  stealing  of  sheep,  goats,  hogs,  poultry,  grain,  fodder,  peas,  beans, 
or  other  vegetables,  produce,  or  j)rovisions,  when  committed  by  slaves,  shall 
be  punisheil  according  to  the  circumstances  of  the  case ;  and  the  judges  may 
sentence  them,  if  necessary,  to  be  whii)ped  by  the  public  executioner,  and 
branded  with  the  mark  of  the  flower  de  luce. 

XXX I.  In  cases  of  thefts  eoiiiinitted  or  damages  done  by  their  slaves,  mas- 
ters, besides  the  corporal  punishment  inflicted  on  their  slaves,  shall  be  bound 
to  make  amends  for  the  injuries  resulting  from  tlie  acts  of  said  slaves,  unless 
they  prefer  abanduning  them  to  the  sufferer.  They  shall  be  bound  so  to  make 
their  choice,  in  three  days  from  the  time  of  the  conviction  of  the  negroes;  if 
not,  this  privilege  shall  be  forever  forfeited. 

XXXII.  The  runaway  slave,  who  shall  continue  to  be  so  for  one  month 
from  the  day  of  his  being  denounced  to  the  olTicers  of  justice,  shall  have  his 
ears  cut  off,  and  shall  be  branded  w  ith  the  flower  de  luce  ou  the  shoulder :  and 


ESTAHI.ISIIMKNT    OK    TIIK    I'UKNCIt    IN    LOUISIANA. 


93 


the  loss  disappointed,  for  ho  had  hoped  his  sorvioos  would  have  enti- 
tled him  to  the  eoiMiuand  of  tlio  iiiiiriiie.  and  M.  do  Loniio  was  morti- 
fied at  notbcin;^  promoted  to  a  higher  offieo.     It  was  reported  at  thia 


»«'i 


on  a  Hi'cond  ofn-nco  of  the  same  nafurc  jiersistcd  in  durinj:  om-  innntli  I'ldni  tli»! 
day  (>('  liis  licing  (U'noiuu'i'd,  ho  sliall  lie  liaiiistniii<:  ami  In-  inarkr<|  with  t\w 
Howcr  (Ic  luce  on  the  other  shoulik-r.  On  the  third  olll  iici-,  he  ^iiuil  sntR-r 
death. 

XXXIFI.  Slaves,  who  shall  have  made  themselves  liahle  to  the  penalty  ofthc 
whi|>,  the  (lower  do  luee  hrand,  and  ear  enttiiij;.  shall  he  tried,  in  the  la.«<l  ri'sort, 
by  the  ordinary  jndj,'es  of  the  inferior  courts,  and  shall  imderfi;o  the  sentence 
pas.sed  upon  them  without  there  heinj,'  an  appeal  to  the  Superior  t'ouiieil,  in 
con(irn)atiou  or  reversal  of  judjjiuent,  notwithstandinj;;  the  artiele  'Jtith  of  the 
present  ciide,  which  shall  he  applicahk.'  oidy  to  those  Judgments  in  which  the 
slave  convicted  is  sentenced  to  be  hamstrunj;  or  suH'er  death. 

XXXIV  Freed  or  free-horn  negroes,  who  shall  have  uH'orded  refuge  in 
tlieir  houses  to  fugitive  slaves,  shall  be  sentenced  to  pay  to  the  masters  of  said 
slaves,  till'  sum  of  thirty  livres  a  day  for  every  day  during  which  they  shall 
Lave  concealed  said  fugitives  ;  and  all  other  free  jiersons,  guilty  of  the  same 
offence,  shall  [lay  a  fine  of  ten  livres  a  day  as  aforesaid;  and  should  the  frei'd 
or  free-born  negroes  not  bi'  able  to  ]iay  the  line  lu'reiu  speeilied,  they  siiall  bo 
reduced  to  the  condition  of  slaves,  and  be  sold  as  such.  Sho.ild  the  prie<'  of 
the  sale  exceed  the  sum  mentioned  in  tlu'  judgment,  the  surplus  shall  be  de- 
livered to  the  hospital. 

XXXV.  We  permit  our  subjects  in  this  colony,  who  may  hav(^  slaves  con- 
cealed in  any  place  whatever,  to  have  them  sought  after  by  such  persons  and  in 
such  a  way  as  they  may  deem  i)roper,  or  to  pniceed  themselves  to  such  rest-arch- 
es, as  they  may  think  be.st. 

XXXV'I.  The  slave  who  is  .seiitenoe<l  to  sutler  death  on  the  demmciatiou  of 
his  master,  shall,  whui  that  master  is  not  an  aeconipliee  to  his  crime,  be  ap- 
praised before  his  execution  by  two  of  the  prineip.il  inhabitants  of  the  locality, 
who  sliall  be  especially  ajipointed  by  the  .jiid^e,  •irid  thi^  amount  of  said  ap- 
praisement shall  bo  paid  to  the  master.  To  raise  this  sum.  a  proportional  tax 
shall  bo  laid  on  every  slave,  and  shall  be  collected  by  the  jiorsons  invested 
with  that  authority. 

XXXVII.  We  forbid  all  the  ollicers  of  •  .'.iperior  Coimcil,  and  all  our 
other  oflicers  of  justici;  in  this  colony,  to  take  .•  'V  fees  or  reci-ive  any  pen|uisitos 
in  criminal  suits  against  slaves,  under  the  (>enalty.  in  so  doing,  of  being  ilealt 
with  as  guilty  of  extortion. 

XXXVIII.  Wo  also  forbid  all  our  subjects  in  this  (•olony,  whatever  their  con- 
dition or  rank  may  be,  to  a()i)ly,  on  their  own  private  aiitliority,  the  rack  to 
their  slaves,  under  any  preteiico  whatever,  and  to  mutilate  said  slaves  in  any 
one  of  their  limbs,  or  in  any  part  of  their  bodies,  imder  the  iienalty  of  the  con- 
fiscation of  said  slaves;  and  said  masters,  so  oflending.  shall  be  liahlt-  to  a  cri- 
minal prosecution.  We  only  permit  masters,  when  they  shall  think  that  the 
case  reiiuires  it,  to  put  their  slaves  in  irons,  and  to  have  them  whipped  with 
rods  or  rojies. 

XXXIX.  Wo  command  our  officers  tif  justice  in  this  colony  to  institute  cri- 
minal process  against  masters  and  overseers  who  shall  have  killud  or  mutilated 


1^1 

i 
^  it 


i 
1   '[ 


i: 


04 


IIISTonU'AI,    COI.KKCTIONH    Ol'    I.OUIstlAN A. 


tlmo  tlint  tlio  Hliip  (InioHtir.  1ii'Ioii;:iiijr  ti»  tlir  WcMtcrii  Coinpnny, 
was  ('ajituroil  by  n  jiirato  lu'nr  tlu!  i.slniiil  of  St  |)iiiniii<;i).  with  iip- 
Wurds  uf  tlirc'ti   hundi'L'tl   (jleniitiiis  uii   Itourd,  and   luilitar}    Nii|iplioH 


tlicir  Nlavrs,  wlicn  in  tln'ir  power  and  uihIit  llicir  sn|((ivi,-inn  iiiul  to  punish 
sail!  niui'iicr  accorciln;;  to  tlic  Htrocity  <>(' llic  circnin'-liinrcs  ;  inid  in  cum'  tiio 
ollt'nci'  sliall  ill'  u  juiiiiiinaliit'  one,  we  permit  llicni  tn  |iiiiilon  s.iiil  ina>>trrs  and 
overseers  williout  its  lieinj;  necessary  to  olitnin  iVmn  ns  liiieis  patent  ofpiinlnn. 

XL.  Slaves  sliiill  lie  Iii'ld  in  law  as  movaliles.  ami  as  mh'Ii  they  sliall  lie  part 
of  tlie  eoinniuiiity  III' iiei|nests  lietween  lln^tlanl^  ami  wile;  tliey  sliall  nut  lie 
liable  lo  lie  sei/.eil  iimler  any  niorlKHfri'  wliatever;  aiel  lliey  shall  he  eipially 
diviileil  anion;;  tlie  I'll  lieiis  williiiiit  ailniiltiii!;  In  mi  any  one  of  said  heirs  any 
claim  lonmleil  on  pieei|iiit  oi*  ri^clit  of  primnireniture   nnluwiy. 

XLI.  Xlill.  Are  entirely  relative  to  jiidieial  furms  ami  pioeeeilin;,'s. 

XfJII.  IFu>i1iands  and  wives  shall  not  he  seized  and  sdld  sepaialely  when  he- 
•otis-in;;  to  the  same  niaster  :  and  their  ehildren.  when  under  loiirteeii  years  of 
afje.  shall  not  he  separated  from  their  parents,  and  sneli  seizures  and  sales  shall 
be  null  and  voiil.  The  jiresent  artiele  shall  apply  to  vnlimtary  sales,  and  in  ease 
suoli  sales  should  take  plaee  in  violation  of  the  law,  the  seller  shall  be  deprived 
of  the  slave  he  has  illejjally  retained,  and  said  slave  shall  he  adjudged  to  the 
purchaser  without  any  additional  priee  heiiiL'  reipiired. 

XLFV.  Slaves,  liiurleeii  years  old,  annd  from  this  aire  up  to  sixty,  who  arc 
settled  on  lands  and  plantations,  and  are  at  ]iresent  working  on  them,  shall  not 
he  liable  to  seizure  for  debt,  exeeiit  for  what  may  he  due  out  of  tlie  iiurehase 
money  agreed  to  be  paid  for  them,  unless  said  ^jroiinds  or  ]ilaiitations  should 
also  be  distressed  and  any  seizure  and  jndieial  sale  of  a  real  est;ite.  without  In- 
cluiling  th(!  slaves  of  the  aforesaid  ago.  who  are  part  of  said  estate,  shall  bo 
deemed  null  and  void. 

XI.V.  XLVf  XI.VII  XLVIII.  XIJX.  Are  relative  to  certain  formalities  to 
be  observed  in  Juilieial  proeei'dings. 

L.  Masters,  when  twenty-live  years  old.  sliall  have  the  jiower  to  iiianumit 
their  slaves,  eitlier  by  ti  staiuentary  dispositions  or  by  aets  inter  vivos.  But, 
as  there  may  he  mereenary  masters  disposed  to  set  a  priee  on  the  liberation  of 
their  slaves;  and  whereas  slaves  with  a  view  toaeipiiro  the  necessary  means  to 
piireha.se  their  freedom,  may  hi'  teiiijited  to  eonimit  theft  or  deeds  of  plunder, 
no  person,  whatever  may  he  his  rank  and  eoiidition.  shall  he  permitted  to  set 
free  his  slaves,  without  obtaining  from  the  Superior  Council  a  decree  of  per- 
mission to  that  etfeet ;  whieh  permission  shall  he  granted  without  costs,  when 
the  motives  for  thesetliiiij  free  of  said  slaves,  as  spccitii'd  in  the  |)etitioii  oftlic 
master  .shall  ai>pi'ar  legitimate  to  the  tribunal.  All  acts  for  the  emaneiiiation 
of  slaves,  which,  for  the  future,  shall  be  made  without  this  |ierniission  shall  he 
null ;  and  the  slaves,  so  freed  sliall  not  be  entitled  to  their  freeilom  ;  they  shall, 
on  the  eontrary.  continue  to  he  held  as  slaves;  but  they  shall  he  taken  away 
from  their  former  masters,  and  eoiiliseated  for  the  heiietit  of  the  India  Company. 

LI,  However,  should  slaved  he  ajipointed  by  their  masters  tutors  to  their 
children,  said  slaves  sliall  be  hold  and  regarded  as  being  thereby  sot  free  to  all 
intents  and  purposes. 

LII.  We  declare  that  the  acts  for  the  eufraneliisement  of  slaves,  jiassed  ac- 
cording to  the  forms  above  described,  sliall  be  eijuivalent  to  an  act  of  natural- 


VIwni.IrtllMKNT    (»K    THE    FKENCII    IN    LOUISIANA. 


95 


and  cldfliiii;;  duHtinod  for  tlic  eolmiy.     On  tluvititli.  tlio  ship  Ir  l\>rlr- 

fair  I'ltiiriii'tl  to  Franco  ;  ami  towards  tlio  ond  of  tlio   immtli    M    do 

Uioiivillf  ii|>pointed  M.  do  la  IIarj»o  to  tlio  coiuiiiaiid  nf  tlic   It.iy  of 

St.    Hcriiard  ;  and  31.  do  i'oyan  to  tlio  coniniand  of  a  oonijiany  of 

Infantry- 

On  tlio  l.lth  Ootobor,  tlio  frii.'ato  Ir  Muirrltdf  d'  ilstrns.  coin- 
niand'd  l»y  M.  Priidlioinmo.  arrived  with  oiio  limidrod  and  ninety-six 
ni-groos  :  and  on  tlic  same  day  tlio  /c  jMouchc,  l\[/jri//f,  and  P Jliron- 
dc/lr.  arrived  with  .sn))plies  for  tho  colony. 

Tiio  orders  of  the  company  liaviiij;  boon  re  issued  for  the  iiir 
mediate  sottleinont  of  St  IJ((rnard's  Hay.  the  Council  could  not  now, 
under  any  pretext  whatever,  refu.**o  to  execute  them.  M.  do 
la  Ilarpe  accordingly  demanded  tho  means  of  carrying  them  into 
execution  ;  Imt  all  that  he  could  (dttain  was  a  small  vessel  eimimanded 
by  M.  Heraiiger.  with  fifteen  ipiarters  of  flour,  fifteen  of  meat,  and 
Bome  French  brandy,  for  tho  su])port  of  his  detachment  of  twenty 
Boldiers,  and  tho  crew. 

Copy  of  the  order  of  Instructions. 

"It  is  licrcby  flccreed  tliiit  ."\[.  df  lii  Hiir]H'.  <'(iniinnii(Iiint  of  tlie  Imy  of  St, 
Beniiiril.  sliiill  eiulmrk  in  tlie  packet  SiihlUr,  eonuiuiiwlcil  liy  M.  lierani^er,  with 

i/.atiiiii,  wln'n  said  slaves  are  not  Imni  in  oiiv  colony  of  Lo\iisiiiiia.  niid  tlicy  slinll 
enjoy  all  tlie  risrlits  niid  jirivilcijcs  inlici'eiit  to  o\ir  sulijcets  born  in  onr  Uinirdom 
or  in  any  land  or  country  under  our  dominion.  We  dcilare.  tin  re  to  re  tlmt  all 
tnaniitiiitted  slaves,  and  all  free-liorn  iiefjroes  are  incaiialiU-  of  reeeivini;  dona- 
tions, either  liv  testanieiitary  di.s|iositioiis  or  by  acts  inter  vivos  from  the  whites. 
Said  donations  shall  lie  null  and  void,  and  the  objects  so  donated  hhall  be  ap- 
plied to  the  benefit  of  the  nearest  hospital. 

Llll.  We  eomtnand  all  nianuniitted  slaves  to  show  tin' pro  foiiiidest  respect 
to  their  former  masters,  to  thi-ir  widows  and  children,  anil  any  injury  or  insult 
offered  by  said  niamitnitted  slaves  to  their  former  masters,  their  widows  or 
children  shall  bu  puidshcd  with  more  severity  than  if  it  had  been  ofiered  to 
any  other  person.  We.  however,  declare  thcin  ejveinpt  from  the  dis(diarge  Of 
all  duties  or  services,  and  from  the  ])ayment  of  all  ta.\es  or  fees,  or  any  thing 
else  whieli  their  former  masters  might,  in  their  (piality  of  patrons,  claim  either 
in  relation  to  their  persons,  or  to  their  personal  or  real  estate,  either  during  tho 
life  or  after  the  death  of  said  manumitted  slaves. 

LIV.  We  grant  to  manunutte(l  slaves  the  same  ri<,dits.  ]irivileges,  and  immu- 
nities whicii  are  enjoyed  by  fri'e-born  j)ersoMs.  It  is  onr  ]dea>ure  that  their 
merit  in  having  aci|uired  their  freedom,  shall  iirodiice  in  their  favor,  not  only 
with  regard  to  their  persons,  but  also  to  their  jiroperty,  tlu'  same  elfci'ts  which 
our  other  subjects  derivo  from  the  hajijiy  circumstance  of  their  having  been 

born  free. 

Ill  the  name  of  the  King, 

BiKwir.i.K, 
Dk  i.a  Chaise. 
Fa/.ende,  Brusle,  Perry,  March,  1724. 


'I'    Jii  '.III 


)!  I J 


(•■I 


'    ;i 

.      i! 

■| 

I      'J. 

1 

96 


lirstTOKK'AI.   rol.I.KrTIONH    OF   i.oursiANA. 


a  (Iftucliiii  lit  III'  iwi'iity  siililii'i's  imhIiI'  tlii>  coiuiniinil  nf  .M.  <lu  litlli-  I^K*  niul 
|>ri)ci'ril  t'.iiiliwiili  til  till'  liiiy  III'  St.  llrniaiil  in  tlic  iirovim'f  nl'  I,uui>>iaii;i, 
niiil  t:iki-  |i<isM's>iiiti  dl'  it  ill  the  imiiii'  nl'  the  Kiiij;  ami  tlio  Wi'^tfrti  ('iiiii|iiiiiy ; 
ami  nIiuII  plant  tlirrc  tin'  uniiM  of  tlu.>  Kiii^'  in  tlii'  f^miinil ;  and  bnilil  a  t'ort  n|uin 
wliatfVir  s|iiit  a|i|iiar-i  iiidst  iiilvaiitau'i'iiiis  to  liini  I'nr  tin'  ili'd'Hii-  ol"  tin-  piact'. 

"  ir  the  Spanianls  nr  aiiv  iitinr  iiatiuii  lias  aln  a^ly  taken  p()^^^'^^.^illll  nl'  it,  M. 
du  la  Harpu  will  iiirunii  tluni  tluit  tiny  have  im  ii;r|it  tn  tins  I'lmntry  un  it  \\M 
taki'ii  pi»M'H>tiuii  !>('  liy  M  lie  la  S.illr  ill  tin-  ii.iiiii'  nl'  the  Kiiif;  III'  I'liiiicc.  And 
in  case  tlicy  niakr  any  nppositioii  .M.  dc  la  Haipc  will  take  |H>.s.s»',s>inii  uf  if  liy 
forcf  in  ronHirinity  with  tin-  iinli  in  (if  tlic  Kiiij,'  duti'd  Kith  N'nvcniln  r    I7IH. 

"  Hi-  sliall  iii)tir>'  ail  siiaiii;iTs  tn  ri'liic  wlm  may  artiT\vaiil>  iiiii\r  niako 
alliaiiri's  with  the  linliiin  natiuiis  and  di^t^ilMlll■  prisi'iilH  union;;  tluni  ns  ho 
may  di't;;i)  iii'ci'dHary  and  indiN|H'nsalilt'— ki't'p  sopantto  accountH  with  ouch 
nation -and  a  jmiriial  ol'  all  that  takes  plaie  dnriiij:;  his  coinnuiiid. 

'•  If  iVoiii  any  iinliireseen  eaiiM'  theMe  unleiM  can  not  bo  uxuculed,  he  w  ill  then 
act  as  his  lii'st  jiiil<rnient  and  pnideiieL'  may  UiL-tatu.'' 

BiKNVII.I.K. 

Port  Sainf  Louis.  Aiiu.  IH,   ITlil. 


On  tlio  KUh  August.  M.  tie  la  Harpo  set  out  accordingly  in  thu 
packi't  /<i  Siililih'^  to  form  an  (istablisliimiiit  at  St.  IJeriiard's  Hay, 
On  the  '.tth  Si'ptoMiliL'r,  M.  do  IJiLMivillc  left  Old  Hiloxi,  to  go  to  Fort 
Louis  (New  IJiloxi),  wliero  tlio  ciigiiioers  liad  prepared  accoiDinodu- 
tioiis  for  him  in  an  old  waroliouso  On  the  iltli,  tlic  provisions  liav- 
iiig  faiU'd,  the  troojis  wore  sent  to  I'earl  River,  and  to  the  I'ascagou- 
las  to  live  among  the  Indians.  On  the  I'Jth,  M.  Paijue  arrivi'd  from 
the  Alibamons  with  son)c  prisoners.  He  reported  that  the  garrison 
there  to  the  number  of  twenty-four  soldiers,  had  deserted  on  aeeouut 
of  the  scarcity  of  provisions.  On  the  '^Oth,  the  brig  A;  Saint  Aiidre^ 
commanded  by  M.  de  Kngiieiial.  arrived  at  Ship  Island  with  mer- 
chandise and  provisions.  He  brought  the  news  that  his  Royal  High- 
ness had  jilacud  the  company  of  the  Indies  r«  rri^jV,  and  had  appoint- 
ed MM.  Dodun,  Forrand,  Fagon.  and  Maehant,  commissioners.  MM. 
Duveigier  and  de  Lonne  represented  to  M.  de  liienville  that  this 
change  in  the  administration  would  lessen  their  credit  and  authority} 
and  they  wished  to  resign  their  appointments,  but  he  would  not  listen 
to  them,  as  he  could  not  understand  the  motives  of  tlic  company  for 
making  this  change.  The  cominissioncrs  returned  thanks  to  M.  Hu- 
bert for  the  services  he  had  rendered  the  company,  and  reijuested 
him  to  ajipear  before  M.  de  liienville  and  the  Directors,  to  explain 
why  he  had  not  registered  the  rules  and  orders  of  the  company. 
He  became  very  much  embarrassed  at  this  charge,  and  threw  the 
blame  upon  ]MM.  Duvergier.  Ricnville  and  de  Lonne. 

On  the  od  October,  M.  de  la  Ilarpe  returned  from  his  expe- 
dition to  the  bay  of  St.  Bernard,  and  reported  that  he  sailed  along 


ESTAHMKHMENT    OF    TIIK    FIIKNCII    IV    LOUISIANA. 


07 


the  const  west  of  tlio  Mississippi  fdr  one  liuiidrcil  Icapiios  or  uioro, 
ftiid  Oil  tli(!  viTtli  Aiij^ust  ciitcrt'tl  a  fine  bay  wiiidi  Ik;  liilifVtHl  to  lie  St. 
Hcriianrs.  Bitiiatod  in  "■iU'J  l."»'  N.  jal  At  tlio  ciitrain't!  was  a  liar  on 
wliicli  li(>  toiiiid  olovon  and  a  half  ffot  of  water  at  half  tidu.  Having 
passed  the  bar  ho  discovered  an  island,  and  eiailod  to  the  west,  where 
he  found  from  fifteen  to  thirty  feet  of  water. 

(hi  the  '-i'-ith,  he  sent  M.  de  Hellclsle  in  a  sloop  to  explore  the 
country.  lie  returned  on  the  same  day.  after  having  met  with  soino 
of  the  native.s  who  wished  to  apiproaeli  hini  in  their  piro^iu-s,  which 
ho  kept  off  for  fear  of  being  surprised.  Tiitjy  continued  to  follow 
him,  and  he  afterwards  received  them  on  board  of  tiie  Sidili/r.  After 
showing  thtMU  the  efiects  of  too  cannon  and  small  arms,  he  landed 
them  upon  the  island.  On  the  next  day  M.  do  la  Harpe  sttnt  word 
to  them  by  M.  de  Hellclsle,  that  his  intention  was  to  make  an  estab- 
lishment in  this  bay,  to  live  in  peace  with  them,  and  to  proteet  them 
against  their  enemies,  to  whieh  tlioy  rei)lieil  tli;it  they  would  consult 
their  companions.  On  the  "-id  September,  the  Sidililc  saibd  farther 
up  the  bay.  and  on  the  same  day,  M.  de  la  Harpe  eml)ark('(l  in  a 
canoe  with  31.  de  ]Jelle-Isle  and  a  detachment  of  six  soldiers,  to  ex- 
amine the  country,  and  to  fix  on  a  suitable  place  for  an  establishment. 
lie  coasted  along  the  bay  from  island  to  island,  until  he  eame  to  a 
river  which  flowed  through  a  prairie,  the  lands  of  wliidi  were  very 
rich.  At  a  distance  of  three  leagues  farther,  he  arrived  opposite  tho 
huts  of  some  Indians  in  the  evening,  where  he  renuiined  all  night 
In  the  morning  he  landed  with  MM.  de  ]{elle  Isle  and  Devin.  but  the 
Indians  received  him  coldly,  and  the  women  set  up  a  howling,  whieh 
they  considered  a  bad  omen.  They  asked  him  if  he  had  brought 
them  any  presents,  to  whieh  M  de  IJelle-Isle  rejdied  they  had  not, 
as  they  only  came  to  seek  their  friendship.  The  Indians  looked  dis- 
appointed, and  said  that  when  they  Ciiiiie  among  strangers  they 
should  not  come  empty-handed.  During  this  interview  the  shijj's 
boat  anchored  within  pistol  shot  of  the  shore,  with  onbu-s  to  be  upon 
their  guard  for  fear  of  being  surprised.  M.  de  la  Harpe  again  in- 
formed them  of  his  desire  to  form  an  establishment  on  the  bay, 
which  they  opposed  under  the  j>retext  that  they  were  afraid  of  the 
whites,  and  re(iuested  him  to  leave  their  country.  The  number  of 
Indians  of  both  sexes  assembled  at  this  place  was  about  two  hundred 
and  fifty.  After  this  interview  was  ended  31.  de  la  Harpe  returned 
to  the  ship's  boat,  and  cros.sed  over  to  the  south  side  of  the  bay.  At 
the  bottom  of  this  ba}'  the  country  is  beautiful,  and  inter.sjjcrsed 
with  forest  trees  and  little  hills  and  prairies  as  far  a.s  the  eye  can 
see.     The  river  which  flows  into  the  bay  here  cumes  from  a  fine 


t    ! 


98 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


country,  and  \s  about  fifteen  toiscs  wide  at  its  mouth  ;  and  still  fur- 
ther to  the  west  is  another  river,  which  appears  to  come  from  the 
north-west.  On  the  other  siuo  of  tlie  bay  is  a  large  river,  navi- 
gable for  hloops,  wliich  flows  tiirougli  a  high  country,  where  (juarrics 
of  stone  are  found,  and  prairies  as  far  as  the  eye  can  see,  filled  with 
buffaloes  and  roebuck.  M.  de  la  llarpe  was  disappointed  at  not 
being  able  to  make  a  reconnaissance  of  this  country,  whieli  from 
appearances  aftnnled  every  facility  for  establishing  a  post,  and  the 
cultivation  of  the  soil,  besides  being  favorable  to  the  i  rying  on  a 
trade  with  the  Spaniards  in  Mexico 

On  the  5th  October,  M.  de  la  Harpe  returned  on  board  of  his 
vessel,  and  .shortly  after  he  saw  six  pirogues  filled  with  unarmed  In- 
dians, and  as  tlicy  api)roached  him,  he  asked  them  the  reason  why 
they  had  opposed  his  making  an  establislinient  among  them,  and 
they  replied  tliat  it  was  because  it  was  quite  impossible  for  them  to 
live  together  in  peace.  M.  do  la  Harpe  seeing  then  that  it  was  quite 
useless  to  atti.nipt  with  his  small  force  and  without  provisions,  to  es- 
tablish a  post  among  them,  ho  concluded  to  return  to  Fort  Louis  de 
Mobile,  being  satisfied  tiiat  the  bay  he  had  been  in  was  no  other  than 
St.  Bernard's.  At  the  same  time  he  resolved  to  capture  .some  of  the 
Indians,  in  hopes  that  by  good  treatment  he  might  induce  them  to  per- 
mit him  to  .settle  in  their  country,  and  to  carry  ou  his  plans  ;  he  there- 
fore landed  again  and  pretended  that  he  wanted  m  re  water  for  hisvoy 
age,  and  seized  a  dozen  or  more  wlio  informed  hin»  hat  tliey  had  been 
some  time  at  war  with  the  Assinays  and  Bidayes,  lose  country  was 
between  them  and  the  Assinays.  They  were  the  r  st  ferocious  and 
cruel  of  all  the  Indians,  and  frorjuently  oat  each  otl  r.  Tiiey  told  M- 
de  la  Harpe  that  the  Spaniards  liad  sailed  up  this  ha  but  tliey  had  had 
no  communications  with  them.  On  the  3d  Octob  ,  M.  de  la  Harpe 
again  set  sail  with  the  Indians  he  had  captured,  -nd  after  having 
suff'ered  severely  from  bad  Aveather  and  the  want  Ox  provisions,  he 
arrived  at  Mobile  in  about  two  weeks  after.  Among  the  Indians  he 
brought  to  Mobile  was  the  Cliief  of  the  nation,  and  eight  young  men, 
handsome,  well  made,  and  with  agreeable  features,  which  was  some- 
thing very  rare  to  be  seen  among  the  people  of  this  nation.  M.  de 
la  Harpe  reported  to  M.  de  Bienville  that  in  times  past  the  Spaniards 
had  been  at  tliis  bay,  which  was,  without  doubt,  St.  Bernard's  bay. 
That  notwitlistanding  his  attempt  to  establish  a  post  had  failed,  yet 
his  discoveries  might  hereafter  be  made  serviceable  to  the  company. 
That  tiie  bay  had  at  its  entrance  a  depth  of  eight  feet  or  more  of 
water;  and  the  country  was  well  watered,  very  fertile,  and  at  some 
future  day  the  Council  of  Louisiana  might,  with  a  proper  force,  take 


ESTABLISHMENT    OF    THE    FUENCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


99 


possession  of  it  and  settle  a  colony  tliero  with  ailvantage.  The  In- 
dians wliieli  he  had  brought  with  him,  and  who  had  suffered  so  much 
from  the  want  of  provisiuns,  set  out  some  days  after  to  go  to  tlieir  own 
country,  which,  although  a  very  difficult  undertaking,  tliey  were  per- 
mitted to  do. 

On  the  4th,  the  Durnnre^  commanded  by  M.  Gautier.  arrived 
with  supplies  for  the  concessions  of  St.  Catharine  and  St.  lleno. 
M.  de  Bienville  received  by  this  ship  a  letter  from  the  coinjmny,  in- 
forming him  that  his  salary  was  raised  to  twelve  thousand  livres  per 
annum  ;  and  that  MM  Duclie,  le  Chevalier  Baillon,  and  Moreuu,  had 
received  appointments  from  the  company.  On  the  Kith,  M.  do 
Bienville  received  a  letter  from  M.  Kenard  at  Natchitoches,  inform- 
ing him  that  the  Manpiis  Aguayo,  Covernor  of  the  province  of  Las- 
tekas,  had  arrived  at  the  Adaycs  on  the  I'jth  August,  with  four  hun- 
dred horsemen  and  30.000  dollars  in  gold,  and  materials  to  build  a 
fort  there. 

On  the  13th  November,  the  ship  la  Doiirc^  commanded  by  M.  de 
Marsay.  arrived,  having  on  board  M.  Desfontaines  (director  of  the 
concession  of  M.  de  Blane)  and  his  wife.  On  the  same  day  M.  de 
Lorme  left  Old  Biloxi  to  occupy  Fort  Louis,  which  the  Council  of 
Louisiana  had  previously  agreed  upon. 

The  commissioners  continued  the  establishment  of  M.  Law,  on  the 
Arkansas,  by  appointing  M.  Dufresne  director,  with  a  salary  of  two 
thousand  livres,  and  with  orders  to  ni-ike  arrangements  with  all  per- 
sons who  were  desirous  to  cultivate  the  laud.  On  the  'iod.  the  com- 
missioners ordered  an  hospital  to  be  built  of  cypress  boards,  .'(evonty 
long  by  twenty-one  feet  in  width.  On  the  '24th,  the  commissiimers 
ordered  an  officer  to  be  sent  to  the  Arkansas  river  to  find  out  whether 
it  was  navigable  to  the  Indian  nations  wliioh  M.  de  la  Ilarpe  had  dis. 
covered  in  1710.  M.  de  Bienville  appointed  M  de  la  irar]U!  to  take 
command  of  this  expedition,  and  to  establish  a  post  there  for  the 
purpose  of  supplying  the  colony  with  cattle,  as  well  as  to  protect  all 
the  new  settlements  of  that  country. 

Orders  and  Instructions  to  ill.  de  la  Ihtrpc. 


ti 


Wo  John  Bai)tist  de  Hit'iivillc,  Chevalier  of  the  Order  of  St.  Lduis,  and 
Coninianding-Geiieral  of  tlie  Province  of  Louisiana,  give  ovdeis  to  M.  de  la 
Harpe,  Ci>iniiiandant  of  the  liay  of  St.  Bernard  to  .set  out  with  a  dttachinent  of 
sixteen  soldirrs  to  the  Arkansas,  and  there  remain  a  sudieient  time  to  eolleet 
provisions;  and  further  to  take  with  him  M.  de  Franelmme,  to  act  as  seeond  in 
command.  That  the  said  M  de  la  ILirpe  will  ascend  the  head-wateis  (>('  the 
Arkansas,  to  e.Kauiiiie  the  quality  of  the  land,  and  a.scertain  what  Indian  tribes 


1   ■    ■; 
\        -A 

t 

1 

i 

.  ii 

a 

100 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OP    LOUISIANA. 


live  there  with  whom  he  can  make  treaties  of  alliance,  as  well  as  to  do  all  other 
things  whii'h  he  may  jn(lg;e  necessary  to  he  done  :  kee])  an  exact  journal  of  his 
route,  mark  the  courses  of  the  streams,  their  currents,  and  their  islands,  and 
ascertain  what  mines  arc  in  the  country  ;  and  if  hy  chance  the  Spaniards  wish 
to  make  any  settlements  there,  to  inform  them  tiiat  all  the  countries  lying  on 
these  rivers  are  dependencies  of  France.  That  when  the  said  Sieurde  la  Harpe 
shall  have  performed  all  of  these  duties  in  a  manner  that  reijuires  nothing  fur- 
ther to  he  done,  hi;  will  return  to  head-quarters,  leaving  M.  de  Franchomc  at 
liis  post. 

In  faith  whereof  we  sign  these  orders  and  affix  the  seal  of  our  arms,  at  the 
Fort  Louis,  this  10th  December,  1721. 

BiKNVILI.E. 


I  } 


On  the  IGth  December,  M.  de  la  Harpe  set  out  on  his  voyage  of 
discovery.  The  directors  furnished  him  with  some  merchandise,  for 
the  purpose  of  buying  corn  and  beans  of  tlie  Indians  for  his  suste- 
nance. On  the  7tli  January,  1^2,  the  ship  Saint  Andre  sailed  for 
France  with  forty  passengers,  jmiong  whom  was  M.  de  Richebourg, 
who  had  been  ai)pointed  commandant  of  New  Orleans,  but  who  re- 
fused to  serve  under  M.  de  Paillou,  major-general  of  the  province. 
On  the  13tli,  MM.  de  la  Tour  and  de  Boispinel  went  to  Ship  Island 
to  select  a  site  for  a  fort.  On  tlie  3 1st,  Father  Cliarlevoix,  a  Jesuit, 
arrived  from  Canada  by  the  river  Mississippi,  with  orders  from  the 
King  to  examine  the  state  of  the  colony.  Ho  was  cordially  received 
by  every  one.  He  stated  that  the  council  of  Maine  had  desired  him 
to  discover  tlie  western  ,sea  by  the  lakes  of  Canada,  which  he  at- 
tempted without  success,  and  was  compelled  to  take  the  route  to  New 
Orleans.  >Iany  persons  believed  that  he  wished  to  impose  upon 
them,  as  he  could,  if  he  had  wished,  have  found  the  sea  to  the  west 
of  Canada.  During  his  stay  at  New  Orleans  he  effected  a  reconci- 
liation between  MM.  de  Bienville  and  Hubert.  On  the  1st  March, 
M.  Duvergier  returned  to  France  in  the  ship  Itt  Soane.  He  took 
with  him  charges  against  MM.  de  Bienville,  dela  Tour,  de  Boisbriant, 
and  Chatoaugui',  besides  other  officers  who  had  not  had  the  good  for- 
tune to  please  him.  About  the  last  of  March,  the  ship  PAdnur 
sailed  for  France  with  Father  Charlevoix.  MM.  Hubert,  Fabrey,  De- 
vens,  Navarre,  Chirurgier,  le  Comte,  and  many  others,  as  passengers. 
On  the  ;"»th  April,  the  ship  le  Profnnd  arrived  with  provisions  for 
the  colony,  of  whicii  they  were  in  great  need.  On  the  9th,  the  ship 
la  Bcllone^  commanded  by  M.  de  Beauchamp,  and  the  brig  PEsjji- 
deuil^  Captain  Bataille,  arrived  with  M.  Loubois,  chevalier  of  the 
military  order  of  St.  Louis,  who  was  appointed  to  the  command  of 
Fort  Louis.     M.  de  la  Tour  received  by  this  ship  the  commission  of 


ESTABLISHMENT    OF    THE    FRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


101 


Licutenant-Gonoral  of  the  province,  which  so  niortifiod  MM.  dc 
Bienville  and  his  brother  de  Chatciiugiie,  that  they  felt  themselves 
disgraced  by  his  promotion,  nor  did  M.  de  IJoisbriant  feel  less  so. 
The  following  rules  and  regulations,  dated  iOth  September,  1721, 
were  sent  by  the  Coiumissiouers  for  the  government  of  the  colony, 
viz.  ; — 


I.  Les  nugres  seront  vendus  aiix  liabitaiis  a  six  cent  soixaiitr  livres  d'lndie 
picc(!.  (.'oiiforniement  a  ce  (lui  a  ete  n'glt'  par  la  coiniii^Miic.  ]K»ur  le  paiement 
des(Hi('llL's  ils  Ceront  leiirs  bilk'ts  payables  duns  tiois  iiiis.  jxir  jjarties  egaks  du 
jour  (le  la  deliverance,  en  tabac  ou  en  riz,  snivant  ee  (jui  sera  rt'glii  par  les  di- 
recteurs  pur  rapport  a  la  <iiialite  des  terres  des  lialiitans. 

Si  aprcs  la  seconde  annee  ecliuo  I'liabitant  ipii  aura  re(,u  des  neijres  se  trouve 
debiteur  de  sen  billets  en  entier,  sans  avoir  (ait  le  ]>aienient  la  j)reiniore  annee, 
les  ntgres  seront  vendus  an  profit  de  la  eonipa^^nie,  apros  un  seal  coniniandc- 
ment  de  payer,  et  sera  la  vente  des  nei^res  atlieliee,  indii|Ueu  et  ]iubliee  dans 
toutes  les  habitations  du  ((uartier,  un  uiois  (radvance ;  si  le  i)r()dnit  de  la  vente 
desdits  m'ifres  no  siillit  pas  pour  le  i)aienient  de  la  conipai^iMe,  le  debiteur  sera 
eoutraint  au  iiaieuient  du  surplus,  et  sera  eondnit  en  prison  dans  le  ehel'-lieu  ou 
la  residence  du  commandant  du  (puu-tier,  i)our  y  denieurer  jusiin'a  parfait  paie- 
ment. 

II.  Le  tabac  bon  en  feuilles  ou  nui'ioques  sera  i)aye  aux  liabitans  ii  vingt- 
cin(|  livres  le  cent,  poids  de  marc,  et  sera  seuleiuent  pris  deux  jiour  cent  de  bon 
poids ;  il  sera  libre  aux  liabitans  de  le  Iburidr  en  futailles  t)u  en  cuisses  suivant 
leur  coniniodite. 

Les  liabitans  qui  voudront  le  meltre  en  caisses  s'assujetiront  ii  les  faire  de  la 
granileur  convenable  pour  contenir  (h'ux  cents  livres  de  tabac  bien  presse,  et 
afin  ipi  il  n'y  ait  j)as  de  ditliculte  sur  la  tare  des  caisses,  il  sera  libre  aux  liabi- 
tans d'en  faire  vider  quartre  caisses  sur  cent,  le  poids  desfiuelles  servira  de 
regie  pour  la  tare  des  autres. 

III.  Le  tabac  et  le  riz  seront  livres  par  les  habitans  au  conijitoir  du  Nouveau- 
Biloxi  de  la  Nouvclle-Orleaiis.  de  la  Mobile  et  non  ailleurs;  le  tabac  sera  rc9U 
egaleiiient  dans  trois  coinptoirs  au  prix  de  vingt-cincj  livres  le  (luiiital. 

IV.  Le  riz  sera  pave  a  douze  livres  le  (juintal  poids  de  marc,  deux  pour  cent 
de  bon  poids,  et  la  menie  cliose  sera  observee  tant  pour  la  tare  des  barils,  que 
pour  eelle  des  casses  de  tabac  ;  il  sera  libre  aux  liabitans  de  les  livrer  en  balles 
de  toile,  au(|uel  cas  la  tare  d'mie  balle  de  deux  cents  livres  sera  de  deux  livres. 

Si  les  lial)itaiis  trouveiit  nioyen  de  k;  livrer  dans  quekiue  esiiece  de  jonc,  ou 
autre  de  la  raljiiipie  du  pays  pour  eiiai;riier  la  toilo.  la  tare  en  sera  veriliee  sur 
le  poids  (|ue  peseront  ((uatre  de  ces  eiiiballagi's  sur  cent. 

V.  Nous  exbortons  les  liabitans  a  ne  ix.int  iiegliger  la  f'al)ri(|Ue  de  la  soie, 
et  a  replanter  des  mfiriers  sur  leurs  liabitations.  pour  qu'ils  se  imiltiplieiit,  en 
attemlant  (juil  y  ait  as.si'Z  de  inonde  pour  travailler  a  la  suie,  qu'ils  doivent  re- 
garder  coinine  un  objet  considerable. 

VI.  Le  surplus  des  autres  marehandises  du  cril  et  culture  de  la  colonic,  et 
colle  de  la  traite  coninie  peaux  de  elievreuils,  castors  et  autres  seront  vendus 
dans  les  trois  comptoirs  cidessus,  au  prix  ordinaire  porte  par  le  taril'  de  la  com- 
pagnic  des  Indes. 


l!i 


.1^ 


i 

1  i 


»* 


102 


HISTORICAL    COLLUCTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


VII.  Lc'S  marchandises  do  Franco  sorunt  vendues  aux  habitans  sur  le  pied 
cl-apres ; 

Savoir: 

All  Biliixi,  li  la  Mobile  ot  a  la  Nouvollo-Orleans  a  cinq  pour  cent  do  benefice 
sur  la  factiiro  do  France  ;  aux  Natciies  ot  aux  Yasons  a.  soixanto-dix  pour  cent 
do  benelico  ;  aux  Natchitoclios  ot  aux  Arkansas  a  (|uartro-vingts  pour  cent;  aux 
Illinois  II  cont  ])our  cent ;  aux  AHl)ani<)ns  ii  cin(i\ianto  \nniv  cent. 

VIII.  Lo  vin  sera  vendu  cent  viiii,'t  livros  la  bari(iue,  ot  le  (juart  d'eau-de-vio 
a  cent  vingt  livres,  Ics  donii-(ituirts  ct  aiicre  ii  projKJrtion. 

Sur  CO  (|iio  nous  avons  ctii  inforines  ([uo  los  couiniis  do  la  compagnio  out  ci- 
devant  detourne  les  niarelianilises  les  plus  recherclieos  pour  les  survendre  aux 
habitans  ii  dcs  prix  bien  i)liis  forts  et  a  lour  prolit,  (pio  cimix  regies  par  la  com- 
pagnics,  nous  lour  avons  defondu  do  f'airo  auoun  eoniniorco,  nionio  indiroote- 
ment  pendant  lo  temps  (piMls  seront  employes  au  service  do  la  com|)agnio ;  otau 
cas  quo  (|Ucl(pios-un  d'ontro  ouq  controvionnent  ii  nos  defenses,  nous  ordonnons 
aux  babitans  de  les  denoncoraux  dirocteur.s,  (pii  lour  adjngeront  la  couHscation 
des  marebandisos,  et  de  nous  on  doiuier  avis  on  memo  tonii)s. 

IX.  Afin  ([Ue  les  babitans  soient  infornies  des  marebandisos  que  seront  dans 
les  magasins  de  la  coiupagnie,  nous  avons  donne  nos  ordres  pour  (pio  tons  les 
premiers  Jours  do  cba(iuo  mois  il  en  soir  aflicbe  uno  liste  a  la  i)orte  do  la  com- 
pagnio du  Nouvoau-Biloxi,  do  la  Nouvolle-Orleans  ot  de  la  Mobile,  et  attendu 
qu'il  pourrait  y  avoir  au  Nouveau-Biloxi  des  niaroliandises  (|ui  no  se  trouve- 
raiont  pas  a  la  Nouvollo-Orleans  ni  a  la  Mobile,  la  liste  de  cellos  du  Nouveau- 
Biloxi  sera  envoyec  a  la  Mobile  et  a  la  Nouvolle-Orleans  paries  premieres  occa- 
sions (|ui  so  trouveront  dans  lo  commencement  de  cIukjuo  mois. 

X.  II  sera  envoj'e  des  espiices  do  cuivrc  pour  payor  la  soldo  des  troupes  etles 
ddpensos  journaliuros  de  la  compagnio,  les(iuelles  auront  un  cours  invariable, 
savoir  cellos  do  vingt  au  marc  dix-lniit-  deniers,  cellos  do  (piarante  au  marc  neuf 
dcniers.  et  cellos  de  quatro-vingts  au  marc  quatro  deniers  et  domi. 

Los  liabitans  ne  doivent  faire  aucune  dilbeulte  de  recevoir  losditcs  ospuces 
dcs  troupes  et  autres  on  paioment  des  marebandisos  (piils  lour  vondront.  parcc 
que  cos  memos  especes  seront  rogues  dans  les  comptoirs  de  la  compagnio  en 
paiement  do  toutes  sortcs  do  marebandisos  pour  la  meme  valour  sans  aucune 
distinction  d'especosd'oret  d'argent. 

XI.  Nousonvoyons  des  ordres  pour  divisor  la  colonic  on  neuf  (luartiers,  (jui 
seront  la  Ncnivello-Orloans.  le  Biloxi,  la  Mobile,  lo.s  Alibamous,  les  Natcbes,  les 
Yasous,  les  Natcbitochos,  les  Alkansas,  et  les  Illinois. 

Les  babitans  seront  iuformes  par  lo  conseil  de  la  Louisiane  do  quels  quartiers 
ils  seront. 

II  y  aura  dans  le  chef-liou  dc  chaquc  quavtier  un  commandant  et  un  juge,  du 
jugeinent  dosijuols  les  appellations  seront  porteesiui  conseil  sui)erieur  etabli  au 
Biloxi. 

Cot  ordro  est  etabli  pour  (|ue  les  habitans  soient  fi  j^ortee  dc  demandcr  au 
coniumndant  dolour  ([uartior  la  ])rotoetioM  dont  ils  auront  bosoin,  et  no  soient 
point  eloigut's  de  leiu's  babitations  \)our  fiiirojugcr  lis  alliiircs  (pii  pourraiont 
naitre  outre  oux,  et  nous  les  exliortons  d'eviter  les  iirnci-ilnri's.  autant  (pi'il  lour 
sera  possible,  do  vivre  tous  en  bonne  union  et  eoneorde,  et.se  secourir  mutuolle- 
mont. 

XII.  Nous  les  exhort ons  paroillcment  a  ofre  jjIus  reguliers  &.  romplir  les  de- 
voirs do  Chretiens  qu'ils  ne  I'ont  ete  jusqu'fi  present.    Pour  les  mottre  en  etat 


ESTABLISHMENT    OP    TUB    FRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


103 


d'y  satisfairo,  nous  donnons  I'ordro  (lu'il  soit  etabli  dcs  cliapclles  ct  eglises  en 
nombre  snlfisant,  afln  ((uu  les  liabitiius  soiuru  a  portee  d'allorauservicudivin  ot 
de  rccevoir  k's  sacrenieiis. 

Fait  ii  Paris,  lo  27  Septcmbre  1721. 

Signe,  DoDUN,  Ferrand  et  de  MAHAnr. 

Efat  (Ins  ilepenscs  arrStces  par  messieurs  Ics  commissaires  du  roi,  jwur  la  colonic  de 
la  Louisiauc. 


!  r 


Etat-Major.. 

M.  de  Bienville,  commandant-general,    . 
M.  de  Boisbrillant,  premier  lieutenant  do  roi 
M.  de  Cliilteaiigue,  second  lieutenant  de  roi 
M.  de  Paillou,  major-general  .... 
M.  Diron,  iaspectcur-geueral  .... 


liv. 

12,000 
5,000 
4,000 
2,000 
3.000 


26,000 

liv. 
720 

1,080 

720 

1,080 

720 

1,080 
1,800 

7,200 

liv. 
I\I.  de  la  Tour,  lieutenant-general  de  la  Louisiane  ct  ingi^uieur  en  chef  8,000 
I\I.  de  Boispinel,  chevalier  de  Saint  Louis       ......      5  000 

M.  (le  I'auger,  id 5,OU0 

31.  de  FramiuetChavillo 2.500 

Dessiuateurs  et  piiiucurs ?>  liOO 

23.800 


Comviandans  dcs  Posies.. 

M,  de  Richebourg,  commandant  de  la  Nouvelle-Orleans,  par  gratifica- 
tion de  la  compagnie 

M.  de  3luiideville,  capitaine-commandant  au  fort  Conde  do  la  Mobile 
sans  gratification 

M.  de  la  Harpe,  commandant  destine  pour  la  bale  Saint-Bernard,  k  1,300 
livres  sans  compagnie,  reforme  a 

M.  do  Loubois,  commandant  au  Fort  Louis,  du  Biloxi,  par  gratification, 
outre  sa  compagnie 

M.  de  Saint- Denis,  commandant  de  postc,  sans  compagnie,  pour  ses  ap- 
pointemens  

M.  do  la  Marque  destine  pour  I'ile  aux  Vaisseaux,  par  gratification, 
outre  sa  compagnie 

]\L  Marehand,  commandant  des  Alibamons,  pour  ses  appointemens 

jNI.  ce  Bournion,  commandant  du  Missouri 


Appointemens  dcs  Ingenieurs. 


■']; 


I .  ■ 

it 


47,000 


'  I 
'  I 


104 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


Appointcinens  iks  Dircckun  ct  Commis. 

M.  do  Lornio.  tliroctuur-gein'.ral       .        .        •        .        . 

M.  GuilU't,  din'cti'ur  dos  citiiiptos 

M.  Bioii  soiis-dirrctcur  (k'.scoinptes        .... 

M.  Uoiijfcs  sfcietairc  du  colonel 

A[.  Dalcourt.  tn'ssiiiiiT      ....... 

M.  lioiiiicau.  !riirdi'-nin<;asiii  fjeiieral,  nomine  jiar  Ic  colonel 
M.  dfs  Ursiiis  dc  la  loin-,  commis  |)riiKi|)al  au.\  Illinois 
Pour  autrcs  eomniis  et  employes,  ci        .        .        .        . 


Appointancns  tics  Mnjars  ilc  Pastes. 

M.  de  Bancs,  dc  la  NonvcUc-Orleans       .        .        ,        . 

M.  do  Bcauchainp.  dc  la  Mobile 

He  aux  Vaisscau.K,  vacant 

M.  de  Terpuy,  aide-major  du  Biloxi       .... 


llv. 

12.000 

r.ooo 

3.000 

1,500 

2  240 

2  240 

2(M)0 

28  020 

07.000 


llv. 

900 

•   900 

900 

900 

3000 


Pour  I'cntrcticn  ct  appointcmcns  dc  la  marine  dc  la  Louisianc,  ci  . 
Pour  les  auni6nii'rs  et  cliirurgicns  h.  800  livre.s  cliacun,  ci       .        .        . 
Pour  Ics  gages,  nourriture  d'ouvriers  ct  deiienses  des  travaux  des  forti- 

cations 

Pour  les  presens  des  sauvages 

Pour  seize  comgagnies  d'infanteric 


llv. 

26  800 
1,600 

74,000 

12  000 

130,104 


II  est  bon  de  fairc  observer  que  toutcs  ccs  depenses  se  montcnt  h  .^75.204 
livres  jtrix  de  France,  non  compris  la  compagnic  d'ouvriers  suisscs,  qui.  forte  de 
deux  cent  dix  honinies,  doit  coilter  52  000  livres,  ni  I'cntreticn  des  li6pitaux; 
des  gens  de  force.  Ics  depenses  casuelles.  et  les  frais  des  armemens  de  vaisscaux, 
pour  ai)porter  les  fonds  h.  la  colonic,  sur  lescjuels  il  y  a  les  cincjuante  pour  cent 
d'augmentation  pour  marcliandises  et  vivres,  prix  qu'ellcs  se  vendent  a  la  colo" 
nie,  faisant  la  sonime  de  1^7,752  livres,  (jui  peiivcnt  en  i)artie  suppleer  ii  I'ang- 
mentation  des  depenses.  On  rcijut  aussi  lui  reglement  ])ar  Icfjuel  les  capucins 
dcvaient  avoir  Jurisdiction  <lei)uis  IV-ntree  du  Missi.ssipi  jusqu'au  Oualiaelie  ;  les 
Cannes  decliausses.  depuis  Rio  Perdiilo  le  long  dc  la  c6;e  juscju  a  I'cntree  du 
fleuve,  y  compris  la  riviere  de  la  Mobile  et  des  Alibamons  ;  les  jesuites  et  pro- 
trcs  dc  la  congregation,  de  la  mission,  le  Missouri,  les  Illinois  et  les  nations  du 
nord. 

]\Iessieurs  les  coinmissaires  doniierent  ordre  d'ctablir  un  conseil  aux  Illinois 
pour  juger  en  dernier  rt'ssort,  et  eepemlant  reiidre  compte  an  conseil  sujiericur, 
qu'on  devait  etal  lir  ;\  la  Nouvelle-Orleans,  et  d'y  former  le  comi)toir  principal, 
cnjoignant  d'abandonner  le  fort  Louis,  et  de  n'y  laisser  (|u'une  simple  garnison, 
et  sur  toutes  clioses  dc  faire  eutrer  d,  I'avenir  les  vaisseaux  dans  Ic  Mississippi. 


ESTABLISHMENT    OF    TFIE    FRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


105 


Tlio  Commissioners  announced  tlie  news  of  the  estublislinicnt  of 
the  King "^  Iicaltli.  and  liis  marriiii.'e  with  the  Infiinta  of  Spain,  and 
that  (tf  the  I'rinco  of  Asturias  with  Mademoiselle  do  Montpensier. 

On  the  lith  April,  a  ic  dcioii  was  performed  in  the  garrison,  on 
account  of  the  King's  restoration  to  health.  IM.  de  IJionville  ordered 
the  troops  to  recognize  M.  de  la  Tour  as  lieutenant-general  of  the 
colony,  and  M  du  Loubois  commandant  of  Fort  Louis.  At  night 
there  was  public  rejoicing.  At  five  oeloek  the  fleet  which  was  an- 
chored in  the  harbor  fired  a  salute,  and  in  the  evening  the  troops  a 
feu  de  joie.  On  the  18th,  three  Canadian  pirogues  arrived  from  the 
Illinois.  They  reported  that  twentydays  before  one  of  their  pirogues 
had  been  attacked  by  the  Chicaeha.s,  opposite  Fort  I'rudhonimc, 
who  killed  two  of  their  men.  On  the  same  day  M.  de  Montigny. 
the  comujander  at  Pensacola.  arrested  eighteen  dcsertor.s.  On  the 
18tli  May.  M.  Diron,  inspector-general  of  the  troops,  arrived  from 
Natchitoches,  where  it  was  reported  he  had  been  killed  by  an  Indian. 
On  the  I'.'tli.  M.  Bienville  wa.s  informed  that  M.  de  la  IJoulay.  who 
commanded  at  the  Arkansas,  had  retired  with  his  troops  to  White 
river,  a  tributary  of  the  Arkansas,  to  be  more  convenient  to  the  con- 
cession of  -M.  Law,  from  whence  he  could  more  easily  receive  .succor, 
and  that  the  Arkansas  Indians  had  abandoned  their  villages  on  ac- 
count of  the  war  with  the  Chicuchas. 

Ou  the  2lth,  the  brig  VAdvcntuiirr,  commanded  by  M.  Fouquet, 
arrived  with  an  emission  of  copper  money  to  circulate  in  the  French 
colonies  of  America,  in  conformity  with  an  edict  of  the  King,  dated 
June  7,  1721. 

On  the  'i-jth,  31.  de  la  Ilarpe  arrived  from  the  Arkansas  river 
which  he  had  reached  on  the  '20th  December,  1721.  When  he  de- 
parted on  this  expedition  M.  de  Pailloux,  who  commanded  at  New 
Orleans,  furnislied  him  with  eighteen  men,  and  forty-five  days  of  pro- 
visions. At  thirty  leagues  from  New  (Orleans  he  reached  the  portage 
of  3Ianchac,  which  leads  to  lake  Maurepas,  and  when  he  advanced 
twenty-five  leagues  more,  he  came  to  Red  river,  which  he  passed  to 
the  left.  Two  leagues  above  on  the  right  he  passed  the  Tonicas,  and 
from  thence  he  went  twenty  leagues  to  Natchez,  and  arrived  at  Fort 
Rosalie  on  the  20th  January,  1722.  It  was  commanded  by  M.  de 
Barnaval,  and  is  built  upon  a  high  blufl'  which  admits  of  ^no  de- 
fence. 

On  the  ?jth  he  departed  from  Natchez,  and  at  the  distance  of 
forty  leagues  ho  passed  the  Yasous  river,  on  the  right  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, in  lat  33°  5',  He  there  met  with  two  pirogues  of  Canadians, 
who  were  descending  to  New  Orleans  with  five  thousand  pounds  of 


I    ! 


I  I 


ii!  i 


106 


HISTORICAL     COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


V' 


salt  meat.  On  the  20th,  he  entered  the  Yasous.  and  proceeded  up  the 
river  throe  leagues,  to  the  coneeHsiou  of  31.  le  IMiinc,  coininandcd  by 
M.  de  (J rave.  About  thirty  arpent.s  of  thi.s  concession  is  cultivated 
but  the  rest  of  the  soil  is  so  thin  and  sandy,  that  it  can  never  bo  cul. 
tivatcd.  besides  the  situation  is  unhcaltliy.  The  course  of  the  Ya- 
sous from  its  mouth  is  northwest,  and  tlion  it  turns  and  runs  north- 
northoast  a  lialf  league  to  tiie  stone  bluffs,  upon  wliich  is  situated  ti>o 
establishmont  r)f  M.  le  Blanc.  Tiie  cabins  of  the  Yasous,  Courois, 
Offognula.  and  (Juspie,  are  dispersed  over  the  country  upon  mounds 
of  earth  made  with  their  own  hands,  from  which  it  is  inferred  that 
these  nations  are  very  ancient,  and  were  formerly  very  numerous,  al- 
though at  the  present  time  they  hardly  number  two  hundred  and 
fifty  persons.  From  twenty  five  to  thirty  leagues  farther  to  the  north- 
east tiie  Ohoulas  have  a  village,  and  at  a  short  distance  above  them 
lies  the  villnge  of  the  Cliacchoumas. 

31.  de  la  ITarpe  met  a  party  from  the  garrison  of  the  Arkansas 
going  down  to  New  Orleans  for  their  supplies,  and  he  made  them  re- 
turn witli  him  to  the  Yasous,  because  he  had  brouglit  them  with  him. 
On  the  otli  February,  he  sot  out  from  Yasous  and  travelled  fifty- 
four  leagues  to  the  first  branch  of  the  Arkansas  river,  which  he  en- 
tered on  tlio  27th  February,  although  the  current  was  running  very 
rapidly.  On  the  ^iSth,  he  continued  to  sail  up  this  river  until  he 
came  to  White  river,  which  comes  from  the  northwest,  from  the 
country  of  the  Osagcs,  and  discharges  itself  into  the  Arkansas  or 
Sotoiiis.  about  four  leagues  from  the  3Iississippi  river,  near  the  vil- 
lage of  the  Sotoiiis,  a  part  of  which  had  been  destroyed  by  the 
Chickasas. 

On  the  llth  3Iarch,  he  proceeded  to  the  village  of  the  Sotoiiis, 
situated  on  the  left  side  of  the  river,  which  the  French  named 
Arkansas,  and  the  Indians  Nigette,  which  signifies  red  on  account  of 
the  color  of  the  water.  This  village  is  situated  in  N.  lat.  34°  45', 
and  contains  forty  cabins  and  about  three  hundred  and  thirty  In- 
dians. The  banks  here  are  about  thirty  feet  above  low  water,  and 
when  the  river  is  high  it  is  about  eighty  toises  wide.  31.  do  la 
Harpe  found  at  this  village  31.  do  la  Boulay,  wlio  had  been  here  since 
the  27th  of  last  September,  with  orders  from  31.  de  Bienville  to  pro- 
tect the  convoys  ascending  or  descending  the  31ississippi  river  from 
the  Illinois  with  provisions. 

The  first  care  of  31.  de  la  Harpe  was  to  inform  himself  of  the 
course  of  the  river  and  the  nations  along  its  banks,  but  he  was  un- 
able to  draw  any  information  from  the  Indians,  who  appeared  to  be 
dissatisfied  with  his  coining  among  them.     They  told  him  that  five 


ESTABLISHMENT    OF    TlfE    FRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


107 


Frcnclinicn  from  M.  Law's  concession  had  ascended  the  river  last 
August  to  the  Indiun  nations,  on  the  head  waters  of  the  river,  to 
puroiiase  horses,  and  tiiey  were  killed  on  the  route  hy  the  Osugos 

On  the  2d,  he  proceeded  with  MM.  Dufresne  and  Buuhiy  to 
the  (concession)  plantation  of  M.  Law,  situated  north-northwest  from 
the  Sotoiiis  or  Arkansas  villages,  and  on  the  right  of  the  river,  a.s- 
cending  about  two  leagues  and  a  half  by  the  river  and  one  and  a  half 
by  land  This  establishnieut  is  about  a  (juarter  of  a  league  inland, 
in  a  northerly  direction,  and  you  cross  a  bayou  to  get  to  it.  In  high 
water  the  land  is  overflowed  to  witliin  a  (juarter  of  a  league  of  the 
prairies,  where  it  islocated.  He  found  at  this  concession  forty-seven 
persons  of  both  sexes,  who  had  cominenced  to  cultivate  the  land, 
which  was  partly  sown  in  wheat.  lie  took  an  inventory  of  the  effects 
he  found  here,  as  the  concession  w^as  nearly  abandoned,  and  forwarded 
it  to  New  Orleans. 

On  the  3d,  M.  de  la  Ilarpe  sent  one  of  his  pirogues  to  the  village 
of  the  Arkansas  to  purcha.>>e  provisions  and  to  fetch  the  Armorer, 
who  had  been  sent  there  for  some  corn,  as  he  was  much  needed  to  put 
the  arms  of  his  detachment  in  good  order.  M.  lioulay  ordered  8aii»t 
Domini(iue,  a  soldier  of  the  garrison  who  spoke  several  Indian  lan- 
guages, to  accompany  the  expedition  as  interpreter. 

The  ArkaiLsas  nation  live  on  tlie  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  near  an 
island,  and  is  divided  into  three  villages,  viz.  :  the  Ougapa  or  Kappa, 
Toriman,  and  Tonginga,  about  a  league  distant  from  each  other,  and 
containing  together  about  four  hundred  persons.  The  principal 
Chief  is  an  Ougapa,  and  the  Sotouis  acknowledge  him  for  theira. 
Tliey  have  all  sprung  from  one  nation  and  speak  the  same  language. 
They  render  a  kind  of  worship  to  snakes,  and  invoke  them  in  their 
sickness'.  They  reverence  no  particular  divinity,  but  worship  those 
which  they  believe  will  ftivor  them  most  in  their  war  and  hunting 
expeditions. 

On  the  9th,  the  men  whom  M.  de  la  Harpe  had  sent  to  the  Ar- 
kansas villages  returned  with  an  Indian  pirogue.  In  this  he  placed 
some  articles  and  seven  men,  with  orders  to  proceed  up  the  river,  and 
wait  for  him  at  two  days' journey  on  the  road.  On  the  10th,  afcer 
making  some  preparations  for  his  journey,  he  left  the  settlement  with 
his  detachment,  composed  of  twenty-two  men  and  M.  Defranchonjme, 
ensign  of  the  company  at  the  post  of  Arkansas.  As  soon  as  the  Indians 
discovered  their  pirogue  was  gone,  they  followed  him  by  laud  with 
several  warriors  to  recover  it  from  him ;  and  M.  de  la  Ilarpe,  not 
wishing  to  have  a  rupture  with  them,  returned  it  to  them,  and  re- 
mained at  a  cypress  swamp  until  he  could  build  another ;  afterwards 


■■H 


'f'.-i 


■!  ■! 


I.' 


^*  i 


"!v  ! 


108 


lllSTOnHJAL    COLLKCTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


he  ooiitinucJ  his  journey,  and  ninJo  ninoty  Icafiuos  in  a  north- 
west (lircction  to  ii  l!ir<;o  rock,  wliicli  lie  called  Iv  Ittxher  Frdnrnis, 
whtTo  lio  arrived  on  tlio  Uth  April.  Tliis  rock  is  on  tlio  right  of  the 
river  aseending.  and  tbrnis  three  steep  hills  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
feet  in  height,  near  to  which  are  several  fine  slato  quarries.  IIo  as- 
cended the  western  hill,  from  which  he  discovered  a  fine  country. '  At 
the  foot  of  this  rock  is  a  water-fall,  which  forms  an  extensive  and 
beautiful  basin. 

The  water  of  this  river  for  a  distance  of  thirty  leagues  is  of  a 
reddish  color,  but  afterwards  it  becomes  clear  and  excellent  to  drink. 
The  c(mntry  is  elevated,  and  the  banks  in  some  places  are  seventy 
feet  high.  The  river  was  at  this  time  low,  aiid  the  sand-bars  were 
uncovered.  It  is  usually  from  eight  to  ten  feet  in  depth,  and  in  high 
water  the  width  is  from  one  hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  toisea. 
Tlie  eye  in  every  direction  can  see  herds  of  buifaloes,  red  deer,  stags, 
bears,  and  turkeys. 

]M.  do  la  llurpe  continued  his  explorations  to  the  17th  April, 
when  he  became  short  of  provisions  by  the  upsetting  of  one  of  his 
pirogues.  To  this  accident  was  added  the  dysentery,  which  attacked 
several  of  his  men,  and  prevented  hin)  from  pushing  his  discoveries 
any  farther.  From  the  appearance  of  the  river  he  concluded  it  was 
navigable  in  high  water  to  the  settlement  of  the  Padoucas,  and  tho 
Spaniards  in  New  Mexico.  The  lands  that  border  upon  it  arc  of  the 
finest  description,  and  would  make  magnificent  settlements.  The 
river  is  filled  with  a  variety  of  fi.sh  and  turtles;  and  the  prairies  with 
beautiful  flowers. 

M.  de  la  Ilarpc  having  ascended  tlie  Arkansas  by  water,  one 
hundred  and  fifteen  leagues  to  this  place,  although  it  is  not  above 
fifty  or  sixty  by  land,  he  laid  up  his  pirogues  to  visit  the  mountains 
to  the  west  of  the  river.  On  the  loth,  ho  commenced  his  march, 
each  one  carrying  his  sack  of  corn  on  his  back.  On  tho  10th,  hav- 
ing advanced  two  leagues,  he  came  to  high  mountains,  between  which 
are  valleys  and  prairies,  presenting  beautiful  views.  Two  leagues 
farther  he  came  to  the  borders  of  a  river  two  hundred  toises  wide. 
On  the  2 1st,  he  embarked  on  board  of  his  pirogue  to  return  to  the 
settlement  of  M.  Law,  which  he  found  had  been  abandoned  by  his 
people,  who  had  gone  to  New  Orleans. 

On  the  4th,  M.  de  la  Harpe  left  the  Sotoiiis  (Arkansas)  to  re- 
turn to  Biloxi,  which  he  reached  on  the  25th  May,  barely  escaping  a 
surprise  by  a  Chicachas  war  party.  On  the  2Gth,  an  English  ship 
of  twelve  guns,  commanded  by  Captain  Marshall,  entered  the  harbor 
with  a  cargo  of  merchandise  for  Tampico.    He  reported  that  the 


ESTAUMHIIMEXT    OF    TrCF    FURNcri    IN    I.Ol.'tsJIANA. 


109 


Sfiintc-Andrr,  which  had  na\U'A  from  Sliip  Island  for  rrnnco  last 
January,  was  obli^oJ  to  put  into  Ifavana.  On  tho  •«i**tli.  tlio  Bhip  k 
I'lofiind  Haih'd  i'or  Franco  witli  M.  d»i  N'oyan  as  a  pas.s(!nj.'('r.  And 
on  tlio  .same  day  tho  ship  A/  Saintr  licnc,  bulon^rini.'  to  tlicooncesHion 
of  MM.  do  Kolys,  also  Hailed  for  Franco.  On  tho  lUst,  a  Spanish 
vessel  arrived  from  \'ora  Cruz,  commanded  by  M.  Kspinola.  with 
M.  Alexander  Wauchopp,  who  brouj^ht  ii  letter  from  the  Manpiis  of 
Valero,  Vicen»y  of  Mexico,  to  .M.  de  JJienvillc.  on  the  .subject  of  tho 
restitution  of  INsn.sacola.  with  all  it.s  artiMery  and  munitions  of  war, 
taken  at  the  tinio  of  it.s  surrcuder  to  the  French,  and  in  conformity 
with  tho  King's  orders. 

On  tho  4th  Juno,  M.  do  Montmort,  was  sent  in  j)ursuit  of 
deserters,  and  returned  without  t.iking  any.  Ho  landed  at  St.  Jo- 
seph's Hay,  where  ho  found  the  ott'icers  and  passengers  and  a  part  of 
the  crow  of  the  ship/'/bA>///",  whii'h  he  brouglit  back  with  him  in  two 
shallops.  Among  the  passengers  were  Father  Charlevoix  and  MM. 
Fabry  and  Hubert,  and  the  Curate  lo  Veiite.  This  vessel  had  left 
New  Orleans  about  the  last  of  March,  and  in  the  night  of  the  Mth 
April,  siio  was  driviMi  by  the  currents  upon  the  island  of  Martyrs,  at 
the  entrance  of  the  IJahama  channel,  without  being  able  to  get  any 
relief  Tho  crow  and  passengers  took  the  long  boiit  and  arrived  at 
an  island,  where  they  rested  ten  days,  and  afterwards  a  part  went  to 
tho  Havana,  and  tho  remainder  sailed  f(»r  St.  Joseph's  Bay.  On  the 
10th,  MM.  Wauchopp  and  Espinola  took  leave  of  M.  do  IJionviUe, 
and  embarked  in  a  vessel  for  Vera  Cruz.  On  the  same  day  M.  de  la 
Tour  embarked  in  the  vessel  I'  Avctiturier,  to  go  to  New  Orleans  by 
the  Mississippi  river.  On  the  llth,  Hichard  arrived  at  Fort  Louia 
from  tho  country  of  tho  Mentos,  on  the  Arkansas,  where  he  had 
been  sent  with  a  pirogue  and  six  men  the  year  before,  by  order  of 
M.  lo  Vens,  director  of  the  concession  of  M.  Law,  to  purchase  horses. 
He  reported  that  he  was  plundered  on  tho  way  by  the  Osages.  He 
afterwards  witli  difficulty  reached  the  country  discovered  by  M.  de  la 
Harpe  in  171'.),  where  he  was  well  received  at  the  Indian  villages. 

On  the  IGth.  the  ship  /((,  licllonc  set  sail  for  Cape  Francais  with 
Father  Charlevoix,  MM.  Fabry  and  Arcoite,  and  several  other  officers 
of  the  colony,  who  were  going  to  France.  On  tho  17th,  the  Council, 
at  the  solicitation  of  M.  de  Lornie,  appointed  M.  le  Vens  director 
of  accounts,  with  a  salary  of  six  thousand  livres  per  annum.  An 
attempt  was  afterwards  made  to  give  him  a  voice  in  the  Council, 
which  was  opposed  by  MM.  de  Bienville  and  de  la  Tour.  On  the 
5th,  information  was  received  that  the  ship  I'Avcnturier  had  passed 
the  bar  at  tho  mouth  of  the  Mississippi.    On  the  0th,  M.  de  Bienville 


'I 


rhi 


iii| 


.' 


110 


HISTORICAL   COI.LKCTIOVa   OF    LOUISIANA. 


■{3  a 


rocclvod  two  lottors  frnm  M.  Ho  Graves.  comtimntlMiit  nt  Fn/f  Sfiint 
I'intr  t/rs  \'iiS()i/s.  inrdriniti^'  him  tliat  tin'  (Miicadias  had  cdiiio  to 
tlif  villaj^o  of  tht!  VaHoiiM,  aiitl  carrit'd  off  a  i|iia)itity  of  provisiuns, 
which  had  bocn  Nont  tlicro,  and  hud  attarkod  and  woiiiidod  the  Her- 
goant  in  w1ioh(>  charpo  thoy  had  hcicn  phicod  llo  was  also  adviHcd 
that  two  (jhachoiiiiias  liad  hci-n  st'iit  1)y  tlicir  chicfN  to  inform  hiir. 
tliat  fivo  parties  of  ('iiicaclias  had  set  out  to  make  war  upon  the 
Ynsous,  ('ourois.  and  Offaj^oulas.  and  tliat  tliese  Indians  hud  sent  in 
their  wonion  and  ehildron  to  the  fort.  On  tlio  l'2tli.  the  Swiss  ('om- 
puny,  coinnianded  l)y  M,  Brand,  who  liad  eniharkcd  on  board  the 
transport  Klizahetli.  rose  ntrainst  th(!  eaptain  and  forced  him  to  sail 
for  Havana.  M.  do  liienville  on  hcarin;^  this  news  armed  tiie  trans- 
port Suhtilo,  and  ordered  M.  de  hi  Harpe,  Pradel,  Montij^ny,  do 
Bellu-Islo,  and  Saint  Kstel>i'no,  to  po  in  pursuit  of  the  deserters.  On 
arrivinj^  at  St.  Joseph's  liay  they  found  tliero  tlie  frigate  /(i  llnlhin- 
fii/ise.  twenty  guns,  commanded  by  J)on  Juan  Alberto,  who.  with 
Don  Joseph  Primo  de  Kibera.  the  (Jovernor.  refused  to  let  them  como 
into  port ;  and.  not  having?  been  able  to  discover  any  truces  of  the 
deserters,  they  returned  to  Fort  Louis  on  tho  oOtli, 

On  the  r)th  Aur^ust.  M.  do  TJienville  sot  out  for  New  Orleans ; 
and  on  tho  1  Itli  of  the  same  month.  M.  Andriot,  Major  of  Fort  Tiouis, 
died.  On  tho  11th,  two  convoys  with  provisions,  one  from  Natchi- 
toches and  the  other  from  Illinois,  arrived  at  New  Orleans.  On  the 
18th,  M.  Desfontaines,  director  of  one  of  the  concessions  of  M.  le 
Blanc,  embarked  in  a  ship  with  M.  Ic  Blondel  de  la  Tour,  brother  of 
tho  fjieutenant-Croneral,  to  go  to  New  Orleans,  when  twenty  men, 
armed  with  guns,  seized  upon  her  and  made  their  escape  to 
Havana. 

On  the  24th,  a  chief  of  the  Koanatinos,  living  west  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, came  to  smoke  the  calumet  of  peace  with  M.  de  Bienville. 

On  the  ~i7th,  a  pirogue  arrived  from  the  Illinoi.s,  in  which  was 
embarked  M.  de  Noyan,  Jr.,  a  nephew  of  M.  de  Bienville  and  M. 
Butisne.  M.  de  Noyan  brought  letters  from  >IM.  de  Boi.sbriant  and 
Renaud,  directors  of  the  company  of  miners.  These  letters  informed 
M.  de  Bienville  that  the  Indians  brought  him  daily  pieces  of  very 
pure  copper.  M.  llenaud  wrote  that  he  had  been  up  the  Illinois 
to  search  for  a  copper  mine,  and  that  be  had  discovered  a  hill  from 
which  he  had  obtained  lead,  copper  and  silver  in  small  quantities, 
but,  learning  that  the  Indians  were  at  war,  be  was  compelled  to 
return  to  fort  Chartrcs.  On  the  last  of  this  month  they  burnt  a 
negro  alive  at  New  Orleans,  who  had  killed  a  Frenchman.  From 
the   ist  to  the  4th  September,  the  ships  la  Loire,  Ics  Deux  Preres, 


I 


EHTAIII.ISMMKNT    OV    TMK    FIlKNCIl    IIV    LOUISIANA. 


Ill 


and  PAlv-rnndrc  arrived,  comiimiKlt'd  by  MM   ('licMiot,  Ilutcjluiiio  and 
AukI  >t  luili'ti  with  iirovisioiis  and  iiii'r<-liaiHlisir  to  tiit;  valiu;  of  '•()()• 
000  livri'.-      Tlii-y  al>i»  Itruii^lit  i\\Tw  ('a|iucliiiis,  MM.  (Jiiillit.  a  tli- 
roct'ir,  and   d     l''urmimt,  wiio  liad  rt'Ct'ivfd  tlio  (tohh  of  St.  liOiiiH. 
M.  liuw  Imtf  procured  liim  tliiH  iioiior  tu  itiditci!  Iiiiii  to  ri'tiini  to  tlio 
col<;ny.  for  tfi«'  purposo  of  trading.'  with  tho  Indian  nations  on  tho 
MiHSl^  .''p|)i,  and  es|i('ci;illy  to   jnako  a    troiity  with    th((    Padmicas, 
who  are  t(r"  :illi<s  of  tho  Spuni'irdH  in  New  Mcxioo      The  tonmiis- 
sionors  ordered  tli.it  no  one  should  ;.'u  to   Franee  withont  tlieir  })er- 
mission  ;  and  annniineod  that   M.  Diivtrgicr  wih  arretted,  who  had 
left  tlio  eohmy  witliout  their  iicrinission      They  recoinineiided  liar- 
mony  ainon;^  tlie  directors,  and  added   tliat  it  was  Un>  intention  of 
his  royal  iii^^hness  to  give  to  M.    de  IJienvilh'  full  powers  to  preside 
in  tho  couneil.  and  to  execute  its  <l(dil»erations,  so  that  he  should  not 
only  be  looked  upon  aa  the  coniinaiiding  ^eii(>ral.  hut  should  be  pre- 
sent at  till!  nieetinj^s  of  the  eouneil.  not  only  iis  oominandant  ireiieral) 
but  as  lirst  directiu".  in  order  that  he  should  share  the  blame  or  praise 
of  the  failure  or  prosperity  of  the  colony.     On  the  ".tth,  /n  Loire  and 
Ics  J)rit.r  Fnrcs  set  sail  for  Nt-w  Orleans,  but  afti'rwards  returned  to 
Ship  Island  on  account  of  the  weather.     On  the  I  Ith.  a  violent  hur- 
ricane eoniMUMieed   to  blow  in  the  niorniii;,'  from  the  southeast  to  the 
southwest,  which  damaged  all  the  rice,  corn  and  bean  crops,  and  threw 
down  a  great  number  of  houses.  l)otli  at  Fort  liouis,  l{ilo.\i,  and  New 
Orleans.     It  sunk  the  ship  I'J'J/nditle,  throe  transports,  and  as  many 
pirogues,  and  had  likewise  damaged  tlio  shijjs  JVcjiiiinc  and  Santo 
Chiistn. 

On  the  Mill.  M.  de  IJienvillo  sent  a  pirogue  with  a  letter  to  the 
ship  I'Afrnfnrirf,  which  was  about  to  return  to  France,  on  board  of 
which  were  twenty-seven  passengers,  including  M  Hubert,  who  wrote 
a  letter  to  the  companies  informing  them  that  the  hurricane  had  de- 
stroyed n'ore  than  one  half  of  the  crop  of  rice,  and  dtnianding  of 
them  further  sujiplies.  On  the  '20th,  they  arrested  the  two  thieves 
who  had  pillaged  the  store-house  at  M.  Law's  concession  On  the 
23d,  M.  do  Bienville  was  informed  that  the  ship  Ic  Droinidaitc  had 
rode  out  the  hurricane  at  the  mouth  of  the  Mississij)pi.  as  well  as 
those  at  tSliip  Island,  without  leeoiviiig  any  damage.  On  tho  2Jth, 
several  of  the  directors  of  the  concessions  informed  the  couneil  that 
they  had  successfully  cultivated  Indigo*  on  their  plantations,  and 
reijuested  that  a  vessel  might  bo  dispatched  to  the  Island  of  St.  Do- 
mingo for  a  supi)ly  of  seed,  which  they  granted. 

*  Iiidij^o  was  cultivated  for  many  yciirs  in  Louisiana  until  cotton  and  sugar 
took  its  place,  but  it  was  always  an  uncertain  crop  to  make. 


'I'  I 


w 


If 


112 


HlST^niCAIi    COLLRCTIONS    OF    I.OUISIA\.\. 


19    'Pii 


B?:f  I 


mn 


On  the  '2Stli  Octolior.  M.  do  Kolcrion  reported  that  a  trnnsport, 
laden  with  jirovisions  and  nicndiandise  lor  tlic  <.'arrirsons  of  Mobile 
and  Alihanion.s.  had  ln-on  carrii'd  oil'  hy  a  part  of  the  ennv.  On  the 
29th,  M.  Diitisne  arrived  from  the  Natchez,  and  rehitod  to  iM.  dc 
liienville  tliat  a  sergeant  of  the  garrison  there  had  an  altercation  with 
some  Natciiez  Indians,  and  had  killed  a  son  of  the  iliicf  On  the 
next  day  they  attempted  to  cajitiire  a  wairgon  of  provisions,  escorted 
by  a  strong  guard,  and  were  rej)ulsed.     Aft(>r\vards  a  party  of  eiglity 


Indians  attacked  the   French  .settlement,  and   wer 


e  again  repulsed, 


but  not  until   they  had  killed  and  scalped  several  of  its  inhabitants. 
Two  of  the  principal  chiefs  descended  the  river  to  New  Orleans,  to 


bring  the  news  to  .>l  dc  iJicnvillc.  wiiogavo  them  sonic  presents  and 
sent  them  back  with  .^I.  ile  i'aillonx  to  Natciiez.  On  the  ',U\  Novem- 
ber, IMM.  dc  liormc  and  (Jiiiilct  arrived  at  New  Orleans.  On  the 
12th.  the  Sieur  I'rit  was  dispatched  to  Cape  Franeais  with  pine 
planks  to  |)nrclKise  Indigo  seed.  On  tin?  KUh,  the  ship  P Alcraiiflre 
sailed  from  Ship  Island  to  New  Orleans.  She  crossed  the  bar  at  the 
mouth  of  the  .Mississijipi.  drawing  thirteen  feet  of  water,  and  arrived 
on  tiie  l.")tli  at  New  Orleans. 

About  tiie  last  of  November.  31.  do  Bienville  fell  dangerously 
sick,  and  for  a  long  time  iiis  life  was  despaired  of.  His  illness  was 
attributed  to  the  chagrin  he  felt  on  account  of  the  m'gleet  of  those 
whom  he  had  served  for  upwards  of  twenty-three  years,  for  not  pro- 
moting him  to  a  higher  rank.  On  the  12th  December,  M.  de  Bien- 
ville received  letters  tVimi  Peiisacola  informing  him  that  M.  de  Wau- 
chopp  had  arrived  there  in  tlic  frigate  la  (irdiulc  IIolIdiuLiisc  from 
Vera  Cruz.  On  the  next  day  he  (lis]>atciicd  M.  de  la  llarpe  to  i'en- 
sacola  to  restore  to  his  Catholic  majesty  the  garrison  and  effects  at 
that   ))lace.*     About  the  end  of  tiiis  month,  M.  Diron  d'Artaguette 

*  MKMoiiiK  i/<.i/iiii  a  fairr  cuntut'ilri  rinijiortdncc  dr  lit  coloii'ir  dc  la  Louisiane, 
(/  ht  >iici  ssiti  iFtn  cDiiti/nii  r  rLttib'issi  iiK  xt  jior  Jf.  lioutnl  di  la  JIarjx: 

Pour  pouvoir  Jugerde  I'tuiliti-  ilc  la  coloniede  hi  Louisiane  il  faut  connaitro 
sa  sitnatimi;  lavoici:  vv  ((n'oii  apju'lk'  le  ]iays  de  la  Loui.siane  est  eolui  do 
rAnit'riiiue  septeutrioiiiile  (|ui  est  ciitri'  lo.s  Illinois  an  luu-il,  et  Ic  golt'o  dii  Mexi- 
que  ail  sml.  ayant  a  V(st  toiitcs  Irs  i-uloiiii's  ana-lai.sos  qui  ticiuinit  la  cote  de 
cette  partie  di"  lAict^iique  dc|iiiis  ^Aca(licJ^l^^<lu'a  la  Carolina  pen  I'liiifjiu''  du 
canal  dc  Baliania.  La  partic  de  Yoiiist  dc  cette  province  conduit  ]iar  tcrre  au 
Nouvoau-.Mi'xiqiii',  a  la  |iioviiice  de  Lastckas,  et  au  royauiiie  dc  Ltoii.  ou  les 
E;spaf,Miols  out  dcs  iiiiiies  coiisidL-rablcs. 

L'dti'iidue  dc  octte  cote  de  I'ouest  a  Test  court  dupuis  le  jiort  dccouvert  le 
27  no\\(  ITiil  ]y.u-  'SI.  dc  la  Harpe,  a  la  latitude  de  'JO"  VI'.  a  2S2»  de  lonfritude 
jusqua  Rio  rcrdido  sitiie  ciitrc  IVnsacole  ct  la  Mobile,  a  li'.t"  de  longitude,  de 
qui  donue  environ  cent  soi.\antu  lieues  marines  de  c6te.    Pour  ce  qui  est  du 


!;  M- 


ESTAnr.isiiMi:vT  of  the  frkncii  in  i-ouisiana. 


113 


V 


set  sail  in  a  boat  to  return  to  the  Illinois.  lie  liad  twice  made 
this  voyaj^o,  and  noted  with  acrcuraey  the  course  of  the  Mississippi 
river.     On  the  *Jth  January,  il'SA,  M.  dc  la  Ilarpe  returned  to  New 

dedans  dcs  tcrrcs,  la  lonijitiide  dc;  hi  F.cniisianc  jusiiu'i'i,  la  liiiiitciir  di;  :!'.)",  sV';- 
teiid  dcpuis  Ics  lirnitcsdu  Nonvi'iiu-.Mc.xitjut!,  c'est-ti-diri;,  dc|>iiis  l!7'<''Jiis(|ii'aux 
(Vol  I  litres  (Ic  111  Nimvi'llt'-Aiiirk'tciTc,  imx  environs  de  ;!()7"  dr  loii'^'iiiide  ;  mais 
cettc  I  teiidiie  varie  par-de-la  les  iis"  dt;  latitude,  ear  au  dessns  de  ecite  lianteiir 
du  p6le,  nous  avuus  droit  de  nous  tUeiidre  ii  I'ouest aiissi  loin  (pu;  poiiiront uller 
nos  (leeoiivertes. 

La  iai'^enr  lie  la  Louisiane  est  jilus  assniee ;  on  pent  la  faire  coiirir  dejiuis 
lc>  2'.}  do  latitude  ((ui  est  celle  de  I'entive  du  lleuve,  Jusi|u'au.\  12"  mIi'  i|ui  est  la 
liiiuteiir  du  <letroit ;  cette  ])roviiiee  est  silMi'i' eiitre  le  (|uatiiriiie  eliniat  et  It; 
liuitieiue  e.^clusiveinent.  ee  (pii  (ait  (lue  la  dun'-e  des  jiiufs  et  drs  units.  oCi  lis 
sont  les  plus  eourts.  ne  sont  i^uen;  au-dessus  de(|uatoi/.e  lieiires  tieiite  minutes, 
ni  au-dela  de  (|uin/e  lieures  tretite  luiiiutcs   ou  ils  sont  les  plus  loii^^s. 

Le  eliniat  en  general  est  tempi  re  ;  il  est  le  nienie  de  la  I'erse  du  Moi^ol  et 
d'une  grande  partie  de  la  Ciiine;  toutes  les  saisons  y  sont  assr/.  hieii  niar<iuee.s, 
et  si  li!s  nouveau-veiius  tniuvent  que  le  pays  soit  plus  elia\id  qui'  tV(»id.  c'est 
(juils  viennent  la  i)lupart  des  pays  seplentiioneaux  ;  eeux  ipir  anivent  des  ik's 
penseiit  ditli-renimeiit.  Pour  connaitre  la  honte  du  (■iimal  de  eette  |)rovinee  il 
Taut  reinarquer  de  lair  <pie  I'oii  y  rrs|)ire  est  sain,  et  qiu'  lis  trrres  sont  tres 
I'ertiles.  Ou  ne  sail  ee  cpu;  e'est  quo  les  maladies  epidi'niiques  ijui  ilesoleiit  les 
autres  parties  de  lAnierique.  et  s'il  y  a  dans  U^  jiays  ((uelqiies  niorlalites.  elies 
u'ont  t'-le  eaUM-es  que  par  les  nialailies  eontractees  a  Saint  DMiniugue.  et  par  la 
niise.re  ou  les  colons  out  ete  reduits  en  arrivant  u  la  eoti'.  L\  xpi  lieiiee  a  (ait 
coiuiuitro  depuls  long-tenii)s  quo  les  nuiladies  des  iMiropi'ens  se  eiunnuiniquont 
I'acileinent  aux  Iiidieus.  (pu'  ee.les  de  ees  derniers  aux  F.uropeeiis.  vf  qui  viont 
de  CO  ((Uo  les  jioros  do  la  eliair  des  lilanes  sont  plus  res.sorres  que  eeux  des  sau- 
vages.  On  roiuarquo  ii  la  verite  que  les  nouveau-venus  sunt  pour  la  plupart  at- 
ta(pu''sd'uno  lievre  lento ;  inais  quoiqu'olle  all'aiblisse  iieaueoup.  on  ne  voit  pas 
do  persoiuK's  on  mourir.  II  Cant  aussi  ('onvenir  que  luB  cotes  de  la  mer  dont  lo 
terroin  sablonneaux  est  moins  liuinide  sont  trcs  saines,  ct  dcs  qu'on  a  franchi 
cos  bab-lbnils.  en  avani,ant  dans  les  terros,  on  y.jouit  d'une  saute  tre.s  eonstanto; 
(juo  si  Ton  voit  |)eu  de  vieillards  jiarmi  les  sauvages,  cost  ipiils  so  tuont  los 
uns  les  auti'es  avant  d'arriver  ix.  la  vieillesse,  ou  qu'ils  delruisent  la  bontc  de 
lour  tem|ieramont  par  des  travaux  (|ui  les  epuisent  en  jieu  de  ti  nips. 
^  Cetto  position  do  la  Louisiano,  bieii  ontenduo  sur  la  earte  qu'eii  a  donneo  lo 
siour  do  la  Harpe.  il  est  aise  de  eomprendre  que  le  i)remier  ohjet  de  cette  do- 
couverto  a  etc  la  coiumunii^atiou  du  Canada  avee  le  golle  du  Xouveau-Moxiiiue, 
par  un  |)ays  sauvago  do  pros  do  cinq  cents  lieuos,  et  cependent  tres  aise  a  etab- 
lir  par  le  tieuvo  de  AMissisi[)i.  ipii  court  du  nord  au  sud,  jxiur  venir  so  ji'tor 
dans  lo  golle  du  iMexii(Uo,  ot  i)ar  les  rivieres  d Ouabaelie  ot  des  Illinois,  ijui 
viennent  (lar  lo  cote  du  Canada  se  Jeter  dans  lo  ^Mis.sisij)!. 

11  s'agit  d'examiner  (piels  avaiitages  on  pent  tira  de  eette  conimunieation, 
taut  pour  lo  commerce,  (pio  pouremiieclierraccroissement  des  autres  puissances 
do  rKurope,  qui  out  dos  etablisseiucns  dans  rAiiieriquo.  iiarticulieroment  les 
Anglais;  mais  avant  d'oiitrer  dans  lo  detail  du  commerce,  il  est  bon  do  fairo 
quelijuos  ivtloxions  sur  I'etablissomout  do  cetto  coloiue  par  rapport  aux  Anglais. 


ii'^i'i 


ir: 


•i!; 


]'! 


«'iii  i 


..!*' 


lU 


HISTORICAL    COLLKCTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


Orleans  from  Pcnsacola,  after  liaving  taken  tlic  troops  to  Mobile. 
He  reported  that  the  Spaniards  had  establislied  themselves  upon  the 
island  of  Santa  llosa;  and  were  waiting  for  the  necessary  armament 


I;; 


nh 


r-    -3 


/ 


Lcs  An'^liiis  possedcnt  dans  rAmt'riiiiic  sc'i)t('iitri(mal('  I'ilf  do  Terro-NLnivo, 
rAcadi(\  la  Nouvollij-Aiigli'tcirc,  la  IViitisylvanic  York,  la  Viririnic  ct  la  Caro- 
line, lis  ont  1(.'S  ik's  di-  la  Providence!  a  la  iiroxiniite  dc  I.a  Havane.  ci'lli's  de 
la  Janiai(|UC'.  de  la  Barbado  ct  ])Uisi('iirs  autrcs  mollis  considrrahles.  Toutcs 
ces  colonies  sont  tres  pnissantes  et  (biirnissent  un  connnercc  immense  ii  I'Anglo- 
terre. 

Les  Anglais  otit  des  alliances  avec  un  jjrand  nombre  de  nationes  sauvas^es 
de  rAmeri<iue,  ct  ils  les  t'tendent  joiirnellement  avec  les  Iroeinois.  les  Cliarai|uis, 


•t  t)Ir 


autr 


les  Cliaonanons,  les  Cliieaclias,  les  Cahuitas,  les  Alibamoi 
nations  voisiues  de  la  Loni^iane;  on  les  avns  jiousser  leur  traite  jns((iie  sur  lo 
INIissisipi,  et  aux  portes  de  la  Mobile,  et  sils  avaient  mis  a  execution  leur  pro- 
jet  d'etablisseinent  sur  la  rivit-n?  des  Ouabaclies.  dont  la  soiu'ce  vient  environs 
de  la  Nouvelle-Aii?j;leterr('.  il  arriverait  c|ue  dans  ])eu  de  temjis  ils  debouclic" 
raient  et  mettraii^nt  dans  leur  parti  les  Illinois,  les  Miands.  les  Octotata.  les  Ren- 
ards,  les  Seioux  et  autres  nations  du  ITaut-Caiiaila  ;  ce  (|ui  apjiorterait  un  grand 
jtrejudice  a.  la  Xouvelle- France  de  laipielle  (le])en(l  I'ile  du  eaj)  Breton,  (pii  est 
la  seulc  oil  nous  ])ouissions  etre  (Mi  sftrete  pour  (aire  la  peclie  de  la  morue.  ^ 

La  i)erte  du  Canada  ne  serait  pas  la  seule  ipii  pourrait  en  resulter;  ccla  les 
mettrait  en  etat  de  peiietrer  dans  le  JNIexiipu'  quits  pourraient  afta((uer  par 
difleri'us  endroits:  par  nier.  en  t'aisant  di'seente  aux  environs  de  la  Vera-Cruz, 
ou  du  cote  de  Panuco  et  de  Tami)ico  (jui  ne  sont  point  fortifies;  ou  par  terre, 
en  penetrant  dans  lo  nouveau  royaunie  Leon,  ee  (|ui  leur  serait  I'aeile,  en  tiiisant 
un  etablissenieiit  au  jjort  decouvert  par  M.  de  la  Ilarpe  u  cent  lieues  a  I'ouest 
<lc  I'entree  du  Missisipi.  Ce  passage  serait  d'autant  plus  imi)ortant  i)our  eux, 
fiu'ils  formeraient  une  barriere  au  Franraise  de  la  Louisiane,  a  I'eH'et  de  les 
enipeclier,  mm  seulement  de  peiietrer  cliez  les  Ksjiagnols.  mais  meme  de  eom- 
niercer  par  les  terres  avec  eux,  attendu  (pie  leurs  eoinptoirs  seraient  bien  i)lus 
{i  portee  cjue  les  postes  (fue  nous  oceupons  sur  la  riviere  Rouge;  joint  a  cela 
que  ce  serait  une  reliclie  pour  teurs  balandres  et  autres  jn'tits  bfttiinens  inter- 
lopes qui  vont  aux  cotes  dc  Campeelie  et  de  la  Vera-Cruz.  lescpu'ls  i)ar  ce  moy- 
cn  nc  se  trouveraient  ])as  dans  la  neei'ssite  de  dehouqiies  le  eanal  de  Bahama 
sur  la  moindre  aiiprehension.  II  est  aise  do  eompreiidre  ipie  eette  augmenta- 
tion de  i)uissanee  des  Anglais  dans  rAmeriipie  intluerait  iieaueou))  sur  les  af- 
faires d'Europe.  et  ([U'll  est  important  de  les  prevt'uir;  les  vues  (piils  ont  tou- 
jours  sur  rAiueriipie  ont  paru  dans  toutes  les  oeeasioiis  par  le  trailr  d'alliance 
(ju'ils  firent  a  La  Have  avec  Tempereur  el  les  HoUaudais  le  7  de  Srptembre, 
1701.  11  est  sti|uile  a  I'artiele  (')  ipu!  le  roi  de  la  Gr.ind>'-BretaL*'ne  et  les  seig- 
neurs etats-gi'iu'raux  ])ourroiit  eencpii'rir  a  force  diirmes.  scion  (prils  auront 
concerte,  entre  eux  pour  I'utilite  de  la  navigation  et  du  eonuneree  de  leurs  su- 
jets.  les  pays  et  les  villes  que  les  Espagnols  ont  dans  les  Indes.  et  que  tout  ce 
(ju'ils  pourront  y  prendre  sera  pour  eux,  et  leur  demeurera.  Li's  niemes  vues 
se  justilieiit  eneore  au  sujet  de  I'etablisseuient  qu  ils  avaient  projite  de  (iiire  a 
la  cote  deserte.  dans  U'  continent  de  I'Am -rique  lUL-ridionale,  ipii  s'eteud  depuis 
la  riviere  de  la  Plata  situee  aux  ■]f>°  di'  latitude  jusqu'au  eaji  des  VIerges.  ipii 
oriue  reutrcu  du  detroit  dj  Magellan  aux  '^'i",  dans  lequel  continent  sont  les 


1 


1 


ESTABLISHMENT    OP    THE    FRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


115 


to  fortify  themselves  at  Grand  Tcrre.  That  they  had  entirely  aban- 
doned the  bay  of  St.  Joseph's,  and  iiad  taken  with  them  all  the  inhabi- 
tants and  troops  to  Ponsacola,  and  that  tlie  Manjuis  Casa  Fucrto  had 
succeeded  the  Manjuis  de  Valero  as  Viceroy  of  Mexico. 

ports  (If  SMiiit-Jiilien-lc-Desire  ct  celiii  des  Lions,  ct  cola  dans  I'intontion  d'avuir 
c()iiiiiuiiiic;iti<m  pur  les  tcrrcs  avi'c  U's  cfttcs  voisinos  do  1  ilc  dc  Cliiloe,  ct  par 
ce  niiiycii  sc  nicttri;  vn  I'tat  dcparvciiir  n'l  jour  a  la  cntKiiioto  dii  Chili. 

Lt'in-s  iiiAuu'S  dcsscins  sc  proavcnt  encore  i»ar  I'attention  (lu'ils  ont  portee 
an  niois  dnofi!  172-1  an  nii'nioin'  ])rt'-scnlt'-  Ti  milord  due  dc  Nr\v-('a-tlt'.  diani- 
bcllaii  I't  sccritairc  dc  sa  niajcste  le  roi  (Jcorgc.  jiar  ^l.  Jean-Pierre  I'ury.  de 
NeulVlifttel  on  Suisse,  ci-devant  eni|>loye  dauslaconipagnio  des  Indes  en  France, 
par  leipiel  11  fait  coiuiaitre  riniportaneo  de  I'etahlissenient  de  la  Caroline,  sa 
sitaalion  avantaj^euse  et  les  droits  (|ue  les  Anjlais  ont  sur  les  terres  de  I'ouest 
de  eette  ]iattie  dc  rAnieri(iiic,  suivaiit  les  eliartres  aceonlees  au.v  eoncession- 
liaires  en  ]0'ii  et  inOC).  sous  le  rri^ne  de  Ciiarles  II. 

Pour  Jui^ef  de  I'avantage  i|u'oii  pent  tirer  dii  coinnierce  de  citte  coli^nic  11 
rcste  Ji  e.\pli(pier  (|Uelles  sont  les  niareliandises  ((u'on  en  jiourra  retirer,  sans 
(lue  jiour  eela  il  sorte  aueuni!  espece  d'or  on  d'ari,'ent  du  royaunie. 

11  est  certain  <iu'on  y  t-tablira  deux  conuuerces.  I'un  avec  h'S  I'sjinijiiols.  et 
I'autre  dans  le  jiays.  ])our  le  cullure  des  terres  (|ui  produiront  plusienrs  lioinics 
niareliandises:  I'avanta^'e  du  coinniei'ce  avec  les  Esjiagnols  est  connn.  et  I'on 
pout  dire  que  la  Louisiaiie  est  le  seal  ( ndroit  qui  reste  pt.'ur  lintroduire.  parce 
que  c'est  uue  cspucc  dc  niagasin  dans  le  memo  continent  (pie  le  Mexiqne  oii  les 
niareliandises  pen  vent  demexirer  en  dep6t  en  attendant  les  occasions  de  les  d(j- 
biter  dans  (pielipies-uns  dc  lenrs  jiorts  on  par  nos  rivh'Tcs  de  I'onest,  (pii  alllu- 
ent  dans  le  JNlissisipi.  partieuli(';reinent  par  la  riviere  Rouge,  (pii  fait  la 
si'iiaration  de  la  riviere  de  Lastekas  oii  les  Kspagnols  sc  sont  <'tal)iis  en  1718  ; 
la(pielle  Joint  le  iiouvcau  royannii-  de  Leon,  ahoiidant  en  bestiaiix  et  I'U  miiu';- 
raiix.  Cet  article  est  d'unc  trus  grandc  coiisecpicncc  pcur  la  coinpaigiie.  et 
mcssii'urs  les  dircctenrs  nc  sauraieiit  y  domicr  trop  leiir  attention  ;  ils  doivent 
l)ien  considerer  ((n'il  est  bieii  phis  avantagtuix  dc  rentreprendre  i>ar  la  Loiii- 
siaiu!  avc(!  le  Me.\i((Uc,  (pic  i)ar  mer  avec  Ic  l\'roii.  L'exemplo  de  reseadrc  M. 
do  Saint-Juan  doit  coiivaincre  (lUc  ces  sortes  d'entrcprises  ik;  so  peuvv'iit  faire 
sans  ris([uer  Ic  tout,  et  sans  entrainer  des  iVais  iiiiinensos ;  an  lieu  (pi'en  etablis- 
saiit  1111  comptoir  au  port  deeouvert  i)ar  ^I.  de  la  ILu'iie.  dans  le  fond  du  golfe 
du  .Mcxiipic.  on  pourrait  avec  facilitt-^  fairc  un  commerce  considt-rablc,  .sans 
donncr  ddndiragc  aux  puissances  etrangt'ires.  ct  sans  rien  ris(|uer  dans  cos  on- 
troprises,  parce  (pu^  le  comniercc  nc  se  terait  (pie  dans  de  petits  bfttiiuens,  les- 
qiiels  dans  (luatrc  oil  ciiKi  Jours  se  reiidraient  dans  les  endroits  convenus  avec 
les  niarcliauds.  ct  sur  la  nioindre  alariue.  s  en  reionrncraicnt  dans  aussi  pen  de 
torn  s  et  attendraient  uue  conjonctnre  jilus  favoraMe. 

(^uant  i'l  ee  (pic  la  colonic  de  la  Louisiane  jieiit  iir()duir(\  en  voici  le  di'tail ; 
il  y  a  iilusieurs  mines  de  plomb  abondantes  pen  (fdoii^necs  du  (leuve,  et  ce  plonib 
est  facile  a  I'ondrc.  Si  la  comiiai,'nie  ibs  minenrs  ipidn  a  envoy('e  aux  Illinoisi 
sous  la  direction  rle  M.  Reiiaud  avait  pu  y  iHrc  trausixirtee  en  arrivaiit  a  la  co- 
loide  clle  aurait  fait  certaiiiement  des  envois  considerables  de  cc  metal;  mais 
son  sort  ('•te  ('-ijal  ;'i  eelni  des  aiitres  eonipaguies  (pil  out  dt*p(.'rl.  ou  le  tcmi)s  do 
Itiurs  i.iig.ig.is  s'est  (jcoulc  iiuitilcmcnt. 


,f 


'■•I.  ,11 


i!! 


i  ,t: 


I 


116 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


On  the  27th  August,  1 722,  M.  do  Bienville  was  informed  that 
the  vessel  which  hjid  been  carried  oft"  by  a  company  of  Swiss  had  ar- 
rived at  Havana,  and  the  Governor  had  refused  to  let  them  enter  the 


II  y  a  (Ics  mines  de  ciiivre  <lans  la  riviere  des  Illinois,  dans  celU'  dfs  Oua- 
haolics,  ct  dans  ])lusii;urs  aiitrcsdc  la  partio  ouost  du  fleuvc  ;  li'S  raimdieiis  ot 
les  sauvagos  en  ont  apiiortti  i)liisi('ur.s  niorceaiix  qu'ils  oiif,  raniassos  dans  dfS 
plaines  ct  des  ravines,  a  la  cliutu  des  montagnes:  il  est  certain  iiuo  la  nation 
Ouabaclic  sait  ou  cllcs  sont ;  aiiisi  jl  no  s'agit  (|ue  dc  connaitre  luiir  secret,  ce 
qii'il  est  facile  do  fairc  ])ar  Ic  nioycn  diM|ncl<|U('s  prcsctis. 

On  n'a  point  encore  dc  certitude  (pril  y  ait  des  mines  d'or  on  d'arfjont  con- 
siderables, niaisii  y  a  grande  apparetiee  (jn'on  ])<)urrait  en  trouver:  les  mor- 
ceaux  de  vcit-(le-s;;is,  I'azuret  les  eaii.K  salees  ((u'on  trouvre,  .joint  aiix  nion- 
tagnes  arides  ct  colorees,  conmic  celles  ou  sont  les  mines  des  Esp:i;L;n<>ls,  sont 
des  indications  certaincs :  aussi  M.  Reiiand,  (pii  a  fait  Teprenve  de  (pielciues 
picrres  n!i'tallii|ues  tirt-esa  I'enti'ee  de  la  riviere  des  Illinois,  y  a  trouve(|nel(Hie 
argent  (lu'il  a  rends  en  1722  au  conseil  de  la  coni])agtne  des  Indes. 
■^  On  tirora  de  la  Loiusiane  des  jjcaux  de  bccufs  sauvagcs.  dont  la  laine  pent 
servir;  c'estce  (pii  ne  souU're  aucnTie  dillieulte.  puis([ne  ^I.  do  Jueliereau,  lieu- 
tenant-general de  lajnridiction  dc  -Mont-iieal.  (pii  avait  etabli  en  ITOlinn  jxistc 
sur  Ouahache,  avec  treiite-i|iiati'c  Canadiens  au  noni  d  line  coniiiagnie,  y  avait 
rainasse,  en  pen  d(^  temps  <|nin/.e  niilie  jieaux  de  bccnfs.  ainsi  (juil  est  niar([Ue  a 
I'articlc  du  J<iurnal  hi^to^illne  du  niois  di' Janvier  170"). 

On  tircra  par  cettc  colonic  des  peaux  de  clievrcuils,  d'ours,  dc  ccrfs  ct  do 
plus  belles  iiclleteries  (pie  par  lo  Canada  parce  (pie  le  liaut  dc  la  riviere  du 
]Missisii)i  coniniuniiiuc  avec  iilusieurs  nations  du  nord  (|ui  sont  trop  t^loignt^'cs 
des  lacs  par  lcs(|iicls  on  descend  la  riviere  de  Saint  Laurent,  ct  e'est  par  cette 
nieme  raison  (pi'on  nc  pent  pas  tircr  par  le  Canada  des  peaux  dc  ba'uls,  les  Ca- 
nadiens n'ayant  pu  porter  Icur  conunercc  jus(|ue-la;  ce  sont  les  sauvages 
Scioux  dtMa  partic  de  Test,  ct  Ics  Assinip(dis,  ([ui  portent  aux  Anglais  dc  la 
bale  d'lludson.  par  le  moyeii  des  cliristiaiiaiix.  la  plus  grandc  partie  des  plus 
belles  pelleterics ;  inais  il  serait  facile  de  reiiouvelcr  alliaiis  avec  eiix.  et  d'at- 
tirer  Icur  commerce  par  Ic  Missisijii,  parce  ([uc,  pourailertila  bale  d  Hudson 
il  fiiut  (pi'lls  (assent,  un  grand  voyage  dans  un  pi;ys  toujours  glace  et  sans  vivrca, 
portant  leurs  niarcliaiidises  sur  Icur  dos.  au  lieu  ([ue  jxiiir  traitor  avec  nous  ils 
n'auraient  ipia  descendre  la  riviere  du  j\li.ssisi])i  dans  leurs  caiiots.  Jus([u'a 
I'entrde  dc  la  rivicjre  Saint  Fierre,  ou  ils  trouveraicnt  un  dimat  plus  teni|i(ir(}.  ct 
un  pays  plus  alioiident  en  toiites  sortes  dc  clioses ;  mais  il  faudrait  en  ce  cas 
faire  des  etablissemcns  sur  les  l)ords  de  cette  riviere,  ct  suivre  le  i)roJet  de  feu 
M.  le  Sueur  de  la  maiiierc  (juil  etait  coiivenu  avec  M.  L'lluillier,  fermier 
general,    ^i 

Les  mftriers  sont  eommuns  a  la  Louisianc,  Ics  vers  a  sole  s'y  ti'U'iveiit  trcs 
bicii,  rcxperience  (pi'on  en  a  faite  doit  donncr  des  esperances  pour  la  fabri(iuc 
de  la  sole,  mais  ou  nc  doit  pas  es|it^ier  cet  avantage.  jusipi'a  ce  (pie  la  jiays  soit 
bien  pcuple,  ct  so  founiisse  abondamincnt  de  toutes  Ics  elioses  iiecessaires  a 
la  vie. 

Pour  la  culture  des  terrcs,  elle  donncra  indifrercmmcnt  de  toutes  sortes  de 
grains  ct  dc  It^gumes  :  le  tabac,  le  riz,  le  clianvre  et  I'indigo.  On  doit  .s'attcndro 
peu-a-pcu  a  des  retours  de  ces  mareliaudises,  surtout  de  I'indigo,  (jui  donncra 
trois  coupes  pour  chaque  annee. 


ESTABLISHMENT    OF    THE    FRENCH    IN    LOUISIANA. 


117 


port.  That  some  of  the  deserters  escaped  on  shore  and  joined  the 
troops,  but  tlie  remainder  had  sailed  to  Carolina.  M.  dc  Wauehopp 
wrote  in  a  few  days  after  to  M.  de  Bienville  that  he    had  expected 

Le  call'.  It's  oliviers  et  le  cnton  pourraicnt  y  reiissir.  La  cnnipiiL'nic  (k'vrait 
donnor  sus  attention.s  pour  y  eu  (aire  pa.ssur  dos  jjlaiitos;  cCst  uiu.'  eli(i.'*c  (juon 
nt-  doit  i)i)iiit  iR-gligiT. 

La  Liiui.siiiiie  est  tin  i)ays  si  ('ti'ndu  ct  .si  rcin]ili  ilo  toiitcs  SDVtc.s  irarbrcs, 
qu'il  I'st  aisii  do  coinpn-iidro  (pi'oii  y  pent  tinv  jiarti  dcs  bui.s  propri's  a  la  lhhi- 
stnu'tioii  di'S  vaissoaiix  et  an  debit  dcs  iles  dc  rAuu'iiiiue  et  des  liiai.s  et  gou- 
drous  (pie  nous  tirons  des  ttniiiirers. 

On  trouve  dans  cettu  eolonie  (juatititi-  de  siinjiles  utiles  u  la  niedeeine,  coninio 
Tcsipiine.  le  sassafras,  la  luort-al.  le  zin/.in.  11  y  a  ])areilleini'nt  le  baunie  dc 
copaline,  et  plusieurs  goninies.  plusicurs  simiiles  I't  lacines  inecunues  dont  les 
sauvai!:es  se  serveut  avec  sucees. 

Oil  y  a  fait  leeeninient  la  dt-eouverte  d'une  raeiiie(pie  les  siiuvatjesnoninient 
tisaoiijit'iie.  (pii  teint  en  roui^e.  On  jieut  Juj,'er  j)ar  le  n'cit  naturel  ipi'on  vient 
do  (aire  de  1  attention  ipie  nii'-rite  cette  eolonie.  i)ai'  I'ajiport  au  eoniineroe,  cpii 
peut  apjiorter  dans  lo  royauiue  des  iiiareliandises  (jue  nous  ne  tirons  des  etran- 
gers  (pi'avvc  de  I'argent,  et  joindre  a  cela  ijue  cette  province  itant  bieii  ctablio, 
elle  ocenperait  un  nonibre  considerable  de  vaisseaux.  ee  (pii  est  d  antant  jtlns 
important,  (puj  nous  n'avons  ])as  prt'sentenient  beain'ou])  d'oeeasions  de  former 
des  matelots,  chose  neannioins  bien  necessaire  ii  I't'tat ;  fi  (jiioi  11  faut  ajouter 
que  K's  Frah{,'ais  out  decouvert  iilusieurs  pays  (lui  aiipartiennent  aujnurdliui  a 
des  titrangers  (jui  en  tirent  de  grands  avantages,  et  '1  ariiverait  la  meini'  eliosc 
de  la  Louisiane  si  on  I'abaiidonnait :  ce  (pii  serait  tris  bontiu.\  a  la  France, 
apres  les  depenses  qu'on  y  a  faites.  et  TidOe  (jn'oii  en  a  voiilu  donner  aux 
etrangers. 

Apre.s  avoir  niarqxib  le  bien  (pii  doit  r(^sulter  de  1  etablissenKnt  de  la  Louisi- 
ane, il  reste  a  faire  eoiinaitre  les  causes  (pii  out  einpeclK-  ses  progres,  et  cello 
do  Ui  situation  oil  elle  se  trouve  eu  17-4. 

Ceux  (pii  ne  jugent  des  elioses  (|ue  par  les  appareiices  soutieniunt  que  cette 
province  sera  toujours  a.  cliarge  au  roi  et  a  la  conii)agiiie,  (pi'oii  ii'eii  jieut  riem 
lirer.  Us  ai)puient  leur  sentiment  siir  ce  (pi  on  y  a  (U'pen  jues  de  liiiit  mil- 
lions, sans  (pfon  ait  a])porte  aucun  retour  en  France.  II  i  certain  (pi'une  pa- 
reilled(;pense  doit  donner  des  id(5csdt^suvantagcuses  ;  niai  i's(pfon  examincra 
sans  i)revention  la  maniure  doiit  les  fonds  (pidn  reproeln  'iit  (:li  employ(;-s,  on 
nc  pourra  point  disconvenir  (pie  ce  n'est  pas  la  faiit(^  dii  pays,  mais  les  disposi- 
tions ([ui  out  ete  prises  en  France,  par  les  fraudes  comniises  sur  les  achats  des 
niarcliandises,  et  par  le  pcu  d'ordre,  (pii  a  t-lO  a])ii!)rt('  dans  les  envois  (le  monde 
et  de  vivres,  qui,  avec  la  mauvaiso  regie  des  direeteurs  a  la  Louisiane.  out  re- 
cule  son  etablissement.  En  eltet  la  compagiiie  Ta  eommeiie(^  par  y  faire  ]iasser 
des  for\-.ats  et  gens  sans  avec  des  lilies  de  (b-bauclie:  les  troupes  (lu'elle  y  a  en- 
voyecs  ont  ete  composees  dc  deserteurs  et  de  persoiiiies  raniassees  sans  distinc- 
tion dans  U^s  rues  de  Paris.  On  y  a  vu  une  multitude  de  eommis  sans  exp('ri- 
encc  j)illi:r  publi(picment  les  magasins,  et  se  inettre  a  I'abri  ibs  IVippoiieries  par 
des  proccs-verbaux  faux  sansnombre;  elle  a  coiitraete  des  traites  desavanta- 
gcuses  avec  des  coinpagnies  suisses.  des  Allemands,  des  ehiraes  et  des  niineurs, 
ct  elle  n'a  poiut  execute  les  conventions,  ce  qui  le  a  rendues  inutiles  j  cllo  y  a 


i':i 


IMi 


m 


.Ml 


118 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


two  vessels  with  provisions  to  arrive  from  Vera  Cruz ;  hut  as  they 
had  not  yet  conio  he  wislicd  to  know  whetiicr  he  could  furnish  him 
thirty  barrels  of  flour,  for  which  he  would  send  a  vessel  to  New  Or- 
leans. M.  de  JJienvillc  advised  with  the  Council  what  ho  should  do, 
and  they  decided  that  it  would  not  be  prudent  to  permit  the  Span- 
iards to  conic  into  the  Mississipj)i  before  it  was  fortified,  but  that  he 
could  have  the  flour  by  sending  for  it  to  3Iobilo. 

On  the  U)tii.  M.  de  IJienville  received  letters  from  Natchitoches, 
informing  him  that  five  hundred  persons  under  the  command  of 
the  Manjuis  de  Cruallo  had  entered  the  province  of  Lastekas.  On 
the  2'.ttli.  tlie  sliips  In  Loire  and  Deux  Fnres  passed  over  the  bar  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi,  on  whieli  were  embarked  ^IM.  Dutisnc, 
Lafreniere  Freboul,  Ic  Vens,  Dubuisson,  and  a  number  of  otiier  pas- 
sengers, who  were  going  to  France.  M.  J^utisne  returned  on  account 
of  family  matters,  and  had  to  resign  his  office,  which  he  had  faith- 
fully tilled  for  many  years  in  the  colony.  On  the  2d  February,  1723, 
M.  de  la  llarpe  returned  to  New  Orleans  from  Pensacola.  His 
health  being  now  greatly  impaired  by  exposure  to  the  climate,  he  was 
compelled  to  ask  permission  of  the  Council  to  let  him  return  to 
France,  wiiich  was  granted.  M.  de  Bienville  gave  him  letters,  and 
the  Council  settled  his  accounts  by  paying  him  three  thousand  livres 
which  was  due  to  him  by  the  Company  of  the  Indies.  On  the  i2th, 
the  ship  I'Alcxundic  crossed  the  bar  at  the  mouth  of  the  ^Mississippi, 
and  sailed  for  France,  having  on  board  3IM.  de  la  Ilarpe  and  3Ion- 
tigny,  ottieers ;  Gamier,  Ilanirle,  and  Murtel,  concessionnaires  ;  forty 
sailors,  and  the  ciiuipage  of  the  ships  tAdour  and  le  Dronmlaire. 

cree  uiic  inruiite,  d'omplois  ;v  cliargf  ;  la  plupart  des  directcurs  (lu'ello  y  a  en- 
voyes  u'uiit  jioiise  ((Ua  leurs  intercts,  et  ;v  coiitrocarrer  ^I.  dc  Bii'uville  plus  au 
fait  du  pays  (|i'.'"ux.  fi'il  a  piopose  de  faire  entrer  les  vaisseau.\  dans  le  liuuvc, 
ils  s'y  sunt  (>|i,iosl'S  avt'c  opiiiiiltivte.  dan-s  la  erainte  (pio  .s'eloii^iiant  do  la  c6te, 
ils  lie  so  I'ussont  trouves  hors  do  sit'.iation  do  conunorcor  avec  los  Espagiiols,  ct 
de  rainas.sor  dos  piastres.  Cost  cos  vue.s  d'interct  que  toutes  les  depeuses  sont 
deveiuu's  iiiiitilos.  par  les  consomiuatioiis  (pU!  se  soiit  faites  a  I'ilo  Dauphiiie,  au 
Vioux  ot  au  Nduvoau-Biloxi,  oil  ils  out  laisse  perir,  a  litijiiro  du  teiiip.s  ot  dans 
les  sable  v  uiio  tres  graiide  (luantite  d'efl'ots.  Le.s  travcrsiors,  chaluupes,  ba- 
teaux I't  pirciijiu'S  out  toUoineiit  ete  iiegligt's,  (lue  toute  cotto  niaiiiie  s\st  trouvec 
absoliuueiit  liur.s  do  service;  los  navires  out  ete  si  long-temps  retoiiue  a  la  cote 
que  la  deponso  dessalaires  aaugmente,  considorablonioiit :  a  quoi  il  faut  ajouter 
le  guerre  avec  I'Espagno,  qui  a  constitue  dans  des  tVais  (ramieiiu'iit,  par  rapport 
a  Pensaeolo,  de  sorte  qu'ou  no  droit  eoiupter  1  etablissoinent  do  cotte  colouie 
depuis  17i.'2,  (iu"ou  a  pris  le  parti  de  faire  outrer  les  vaissoaux  dans  le  fleuve,  et 
d'otablir  le  oonii)toir  principal  a  la  Niuvollc-Oileans,  a  trcu.  Y.  uos  dans  la  ri- 
viere, oft  los  liabitaus  sc  sout  fixes,  tt  lii  ils  travailleut  a\e ;  ^lucccs  a  la  culture 
des  terres. 


! 


I  i 


\ 


*t. 


HISTORICAL  JOURNAL 

OP 

FATIIKR  riEURE  FRANCOIS    XAVIKR  WE  CHARLEVOIX,* 

IN  LETTERS  ADDRESSED 

TO    THE 

DUTCHESS   OF  LESDIGUIERES. 

TIIANSI.ATEO    FROM   TIIK    FRKNCH. 


Kaskaskias.  Nov.  8,  1721. 
As  I  have  as  yet  seen  in  Louisiana  only  this  post,t  the  first  of 
all  by  right  of  anti<]uity,   I   cannot  judge  of  it  by  coniiiarison  with 
others.     But  it  appears  certain  to  me,  that  it  has   two  advantages, 

*  Fatlicr  Piirrc  Francois  Xavicr  de  Charlevoix,  a  Jesuit  Priest  and  distin- 
guished traveller  and  writer,  was  born  at  St.  (iuentiii.  Fraiieo.  in  l(i82.  Ho  em- 
barked at  Rtichelle  in  July,  1720,  to  visit  tjie  missions  in  Canada,  where  he 
arrived  in  Sej)tember  of  tlie  same  year.  From  Quebt'c  he  proeeeded  up  the  St. 
Lawrence  to  the  lakes,  and  from  tlience  lie  descended  by  the  Illinois  to  tlio 
mouth  of  the  Mississipjii  river,  touching  at  \e\v Orleans,  which  had  just  been 
selected  for  the  liead-(iuarters  and  capital  of  Louisiana,  [n  this  journal  Father 
Cbarlevoi.t  has  j^iven  us  a  most  accurate  and  vivid  di'scription  of  Louisiana;  of 
the  Mississippi  and  its  tributaries,  the  face  of  the  coiuitry.  tli  •  maimers  and 
customs  of  the  Indian  tribes  and  their  villages ;  of  the  missionary  establish- 
ments and  colonial  ])osts.  and  of  ])ersoiis  and  thiiij;s  as  they  existed  at  that  day. 

At  New  Orleans  lie  embarked  for  the  Island  of  St.  Domingo,  where  he  ar- 
rived in  1722,  and  from  thence  he  returned  to  France.  He  afterwards  travelled 
in  Italy,  and  for  more  than  twenty  years  performed  very  impcu'tant  trusts  con- 
fided to  him  by  the  Society  of  Jisnits.  lie  published  a  history  of  St.  Domingo, 
drawn  up  from  the  memoirs  and  Mss.  of  Father  I'ers,  who  lived  in  that  island 
more  than  twenty-live  years.  A  history  of  Xew  France,  containing  a  very  full 
account  of  all  that  transpired  in  this  country  for  nearly  a  century  ;  a  history  of 
Paraguay ;  and  a  history  of  Japan,  drawn  up  from  memoirs  and  letters  forward- 
ed by  the  missionary  fathers  to  the  Society  of  Jesuits  in  France. 

■f  The  Jesuits  had  here  a  tiourishing  mission,  aud  the  French  a  post.    They 


I  M 


\  I, 


120 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OP    LOUISIANA. 


one  of  wliicli  can  never  be  disputed,  iiiid  the  otiicr  renders  it  at  pre. 
sent  necessary  to  the  whole  province.  The  first  arises  from  its 
situation,  which  is  near  Canaihi,  with  whicli  it  will  always  have  a 
connuunication  eipially  useful  to  the  two  colonics.  The  second  is, 
that  it  may  be  made  the  granary  of  Louisiana,  which  it  can  supply 
with  plenty  of  wheat,  though  it  should  be  (juite  peopled  down  to  the 
sea. 

The  land  is  not  only  fit  to  bear  wheat,  but  has  hitherto  refused 
nothing  that  is  necessary  for  the  food  of  man.  The  climate  is  very 
mild,  in  thirty-eight  degrees,  thirty-nine  minutes  Nortii  latitude.  It 
would  be  very  easy  to  increase  flocks  here.  They  might  also  tame 
the  wild  butlaloes,  from  which  they  would  obtain  a  great  benefit  in 
the  trade  of  their  wool  and  hides,  and  for  the  sustenance  of  the  in- 
habitants. 

The  air  is  good  here,  and  if  we  see  some  distempers,  we  may 
attribute  them  only  to  poverty  and  dissoluteness,  and  perhaps  in 
some  small  degree  to  the  lands  newly  turned  up  ;  but  this  last  incon- 
venience will  not  contiime  always,  and  the  climate  will  not  at  all 
affect  those  who  hereafter  shall  be  born  here.  Lastly  we  are  assured 
of  the  Illinois,  more  than  of  any  nation  of  savages  in  Canada,  if  we 
except  the  Abenaijuis.  They  are  almost  all  Christians,  of  a  mild 
disposition,  and  at  all  times  very  afl^ectionate  to  the  French, 

I  am  here.  Madam,  one  hundred  and  fifty  leagues  from  the  place 
where  I  began  this  letter:  I  am  going  to  finish  it  here,  and  trust  it 
with  a  traveller,  who  reckons  to  be  at  New  Orleans  much  sooner  than 
I  jbecause  he  will  stop  nowhere,  and  I  must  make  some  stay  at  the 
Natchez.  I  liad  depended  on  two  things  on  leaving  the  Illinois  ;  the 
first,  that  as  I  was  going  down  a  very  rapid  river,  and  on  which  I 
was  in  no  danger  of  being  stopt  by  those  falls  and  torrents  so  fre- 
quent in  tiie  rivers  of  Canada,  I  should  not  be  long  in  my  journey, 
though  I  had  near  four  hundred  leagues  to  go,  because  of  the  wind- 
ings which  tlie  river  makes.  The  second  was,  that  my  route  being 
all  the  way  to  the  South,  it  would  be  quite  unneces.sary  to  take  any 


divided  it  into  two  because  tlicy  thonglit  it  l)ost  to  form  two  villuges  of  Indians, 
the  most  populous  of  which  was  on  tlio  banks  of  tlie  Mississip])i,  near  Fort 
Cliartres  and  the  otlier  about  four  leajjucs  farlhor  down,  and  about  one  from 
the  river.  In  the  early  settlement  of  the  country,  Louisiana  was  divided  into 
three  grand  ecclesiastical  districts.  The  first  was  intrusted  to  the  Capuchins, 
and  extended  IVoin  the  mouth  of  the  Mississi|)pi  to  the  Illinois.  The  second  to 
the  CarnidUc.i,  who  had  jurisdiction  over  all  that  suction  of  country  whicli  ex- 
tended from  the  Alibanions  to  Mobile  ;  and  the  third  to  the  Jrauils,  (who  are 
always  in  aihance  of  civilization,)  the  lmnicn.se  wilderness  of  country  washed  by 
the  lakes,  the  Ohio,  Illinois,  JMisslssippi,  and  its  tributaries. 


list  it 
than 
tlie 
the 

ich  I 
fre- 


any 

lians. 
Fort 
from 
into 
chins, 
md  to 
Ii  ex- 
o  are 
edby 


JOUUNAL    OF    KATIIEU    CHARLEVOIX. 


121 


precautions  against  the  cold;  but  I  was  nustakon  in  both.  I  found 
myself  obliged  to  sail  still  slower  than  I  had  ilone  on  the  lakes, 
whieh  I  was  obliged  to  cross,  and  I  suffered  a  cold  as  piercing  as  any 
I  had  ever  felt  at  Quebec. 

It  is  true,  that  it  was  still  fjuite  another  thing  at  the  Kaskaskias, 
which  I  had  left  a  few  days  before ;  for  the  river,  as  I  heard  on  my 
route,  was  soon  frozen  in  such  a  manner  that  they  went  upon  it  in 
carriages.  It  is  notwithstanding  a  good  half  league  wide  at  tliat 
place,  and  more  rapid  than  the  Rhone.  This  is  tlie  more  surprising, 
as  generally  excepting,  some  slight  frosts  caused  by  the  nortli  and 
northwest  winds,  tlie  winter  in  this  country  is  scarce!)  perceivable. 
The  river  was  not  frozen  where  I  was,  but  I  was  all  day  in  an  open 
pettiaugrc,  and  by  conscijuence  exposed  to  all  the  injuries  of  the  air, 
and  as  1  liad  taken  no  precaution  against  the  cold  which  I  did  not 
expect,  I  found  it  very  severe. 

If  I  could  have  made  more  way,  I  should  have  found  every  day 
a  sensible  decrease  of  the  cold  ;  but  we  must  navigate  the  Missis- 
sippi with  prudence.  We  do  not  really  hazard  ourselves  upon  it  in 
canoes  of  bark,  because  the  river  always  bringing  down  a  great  num- 
ber of  trees,  which  fall  from  its  sides,  or  which  are  brought  into  it  by 
the  rivers  it  receives,  many  of  these  trees  are  stopped  in  passing  by  a 
point,  or  on  a  shoal ;  so  that  every  moment  one  is  exposed  to  run 
upon  a  branch  or  against  a  root  hidden  under  the  water,  and  there 
needs  no  more  to  split  these  frail  conveyances ;  especially  when  to 
shun  an  enemy's  party,  or  for  any  other  reason,  we  proceed  in  the 
night,  or  set  out  before  day. 

Therefore  one  is  obliged  to  use  pettiaugros  instead  of  canoes  of 
bark,  tlial  is  to  say,  trunks  of  trees  made  hollow,  which  arc  not  sub- 
ject to  the  same  inconvenience,  but  which  are  very  clumsy,  and  are 
not  managed  as  we  please  I  am  in  one  which  is  made  of  a  walnut 
tree,  so  narrow  that  it  will  not  bear  a  sail ;  and  my  conductors,  accus- 
tomed to  the  little  paddles  which  they  use  in  the  canoes,  find  itdiflS- 
cult  to  manage  the  oars.  Add  to  this,  if  the  wind  is  a  little  fresh 
the  water  comes  into  the  pettiaugrc,  and  this  fre(|uently  happens  at 
this  season  of  the  year. 

It  was  the  10th  of  November,  at  sun-set,  that  I  embarked  on  the 
little  river  of  Kaskaskias ;  I  had  but  two  leagues  to  the  Missis- 
sippi, nevertheless  I  was  obliged  to  encamp  at  about  half  way,  and 
the  next  day  I  could  make  but  six  leagues  on  the  river.  The  leaves 
fall  sooner  in  this  country  than  in  France,  and  new  ones  do  not  ap- 
pear till  the  end  of  May  ;  and  yet  it  very  seldom  snows  here,  and  I 
have  already  observed  that  the  winters  here  are  generally  very  mild. 


( 


'I. 


i; 


122 


iiirfrnmcAL  coM.nrrioNs  or  i.orisrANA. 


What  thou  can  bo  tho  reason  of  this  backwardness?  I  can  sec  no 
other  than  the  thicknoHH  of  tho  forcst.s.  which  hin<ler«  tho  earth  from 
bcini,'  HO  soon  warmed  to  make  tlie  sap  rise. 

The  lith.  after  Iiaviii^'  j^oue  two  leagues,  I  left  Capo  St.  Antlioiiy 
on  the  h;ft  liand.  It  is  hcsre  that  we  begin  to  sec  canes  or  reeds; 
they  are  much  like  those  which  grow  in  many  places  of  Europe,  but 
they  are  higher  and  stronger.  It  is  said  that  they  are  never  seen 
but  in  a  good  soil ;  but  the  lands  where  they  grow  must  be  moist, 
and  of  eonseipuMK.'o  fitter  for  rice  than  wheat.  They  do  not  take  the 
pains  to  pull  tluMu  up  when  they  would  clear  the  land  where  they 
grow ;  and  indeed  It  would  not  be  very  easy  to  do  it,  their  knotty 
roots  being  very  long,  and  joined  together  by  a  great  number  of  fda- 
ments,  wiiieh  extend  a  great  way.  These  roots  have  naturally  a 
pretty  line  polish,  and  come  near  to  those  of  the  bamboos  of  Japan  : 
of  which  they  mako  tho  fine  canes  wliieh  tho  Dutch  sell  by  the  name 
of  Jlottangs. 

They  content  themselves  therefore  when  th'';^  could  cultivate  a 
field  covered  with  these  reeds,  to  cut  them  down  at  the  foot;  and  then 
leave  them  to  dry,  and  afterwards  burn  them  .  the  ashes  serve  them 
for  manure,  and  the  fire  opens  the  pores  of  the  earth,  which  they  stir 
lightly,  and  they  sow  what  they  jdcase  ;  rice,  maize,  water-melons — in  a 
word,  all  sorts  of  grain  and  ))ulse,  except  wheat,  which  in  these  rich 
soils  shoots  into  straw  and  produces  no  cars.  This  defect  might  bo 
remedied  by  throwing  sand  on  this  soil,  and  by  throwing  maize  on  it 
for  some  years. 

As  for  the  high  grounds,  and  others  which  are  notexpo.sed  to  the 
inundations  of  the  river,  they  are  very  fit  at  present  to  bear  wheat, 
and  if  tho  trials  which  they  have  made  in  some  places  liave  not  suc- 
ceeded because  the  grain  grew  smutty,  it  was  because  the  country 
not  being  open  enough,  the  air  is  too  much  confined  to  disperse  the 
mists  that  breed  tho  smut.  The  proof  of  this  is,  that  among  the 
Illinois,  where  there  are  Uiorc  meadows  than  woods,  wheat  grows  up 
and  ripens  as  well  as  in  France. 

The  13th,  after  a  very  hot  night,  we  went  about  three  leagues  in 
spite  of  a  south  wind,  which  was  continually  blowing  stronger  and 
stronger,  and  which  became  at  last  so  violent  that  it  obliged  us  to 
stop.  A  great  rain  made  it  lull  in  the  evening,  and  about  midnight 
there  arose  a  northwest  wind,  which  began  the  extreme  cold  I  have 
mentioned.  To  complete  our  ill-luck,  an  accident  stopped  us  all  the 
next  day,  though  it  was  not  safe  for  us  to  remain  where  we  were.  It 
is  not  long  since  that  the  Cherokees  killed  forty  Frenchmen  here,  at 
whoso  head  was  a  son  of  M,  do  llamezai,  Governor  of  Montreal,  and 


rich 

jlit  be 

;ju  it 


;ucs  in 


ir 


and 
us  to 
Inight 
have 
11  the 
e.     It 
re,  at 
111,  and 


jornNAii  or  katiiku  ciiAiti.r.voix. 


123 


one  of  tlic  l^aron  il(«  TiOii;.'iu'uirs.  tlio  Kind's  Liriitciiant  for  tlic  siinio 
town.  Hi'sidt's  tlicsc  s;iv;i;,'('s.  wlio  arc  imt  yet  rcL-om-iloil  to  us.  tlic 
()iitiii.';niiis,  tlic  Sidiix,  ami  the  Cliicuclias,  kcjit  us  in  groat  uiieabi- 
ncss.  as  [  liad  only  tlirco  mcii  witli  inc. 

Tlic  i.'itli,  the  wind  cliaiijicd  to  tlic  north  and  the  cold  increased. 
Wc  went  four  loairucs  to  the  south,  then  we  foninl  that  tiio  river 
lurneil  four  leagues  to  the  north.  Iinnieiliatcly  after  this  reach,  wo 
passed  on  the  left  by  the  fin(!  river  Oiiabaehc  (Wubaehe).  by  which 
one  may  go  ijuitc  up  to  tlm  Iroiniois,  when  the'  waters  are  high.  Tt.s 
entrance  into  the  Mississippi  is  little  los.s  than  a  ijuartcr  of  a  league 
wide.  There  is  no  jilace  in  Louisiana  more  lit,  in  my  opinion,  for  a 
settlonieiit  than  this,  nor  where  it  is  of  more  consenueuco  to  ha\e  one. 
All  the  country  that  i.s  watered  by  the  Ohio,  and  liy  the  Oiiabaehc 
which  runs  into  it,  is  very  fruitful.  It  consists  of  vast  meadows,  well 
watered,  where  the  wild  bulfalocs  feed  by  thousands.  Furtherinoro, 
the  communication  with  Canada  is  as  ca.sy  as  by  the  river  of  the 
Illinois,  and  the  way  much  shorter.  A  fort  with  a  good  garrison 
would  keep  the  savages  in  awe,  esjieeially  the  Cherokees,  who  are  at 
present  the  most  numerous  nation  of  this  continent. 

Six  leagues  below  the  mouth  of  tlio  Oiiabache,  we  find  on  the 
same  side  a  very  high  coast,  on  which  they  say  there  are  iron  mines. 
We  went  a  great  way  this  day,  which  was  the  Iflth  ;  but  we  sutfercd 
much  more  by  the  cold.  It  still  increased  the  following  days, 
though  the  wind  was  changed  to  sonth-southwest.  ^\\•  were  also 
obliged  to  break  the  ice,  though  it  was  indeed  but  thin,  to  get  for- 
ward. The  lUth,  we  went  four  leagues,  after  which  a  south  wind 
stopped  us  short.  I  never  felt  a  northeast  wind  sharper  than  this 
from  the  south.  It  is  very  probable  that  it  was  still  the  northeast 
wind  that  blew,  but  which  the  land  reflected  sometimes  one  way.  and 
sometimes  another,  as  we  turned  with  the  river. 

Vi\)  meet  on  this  route  with  a  kind  of  wild  cats,  called  Pijoux, 
which  are  very  much  like  ours.  ])ut  larger.  I  observ<ul  some  that 
had  shorter  tails,  and  others  that  had  much  longer  and  bigger ;  they 
also  look  very  wild,  and  they  assured  me  that  they  are  very  carni- 
vorous and  good  hunters.  The  forests  arc  full  of  walnut  trees  like 
those  of  Canada,  and  their  roots  have  several  properties  which  I  have 
not  heard  remarked  of  the  others.  They  are  very  soft,  and  their 
bark  dyes  a  black  color ;  but  their  principal  use  is  for  physic.  They 
stop  the  flux  of  the  belly,  and  are  an  excellent  emetic. 

The  20th,  it  snowed  all  day.  and  we  never  stirred.  The  weather 
grew  milder,  but  the  next  night  the  southwest  wind  cleared  tlu;  sky, 
and  the  cold  began  again  with  the  greatest  severity.    The  next  morn- 


... 


u 


i  f 


-r 


121 


IIISTOIIICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


A' 


ttA: 


I 


¥ 


I  ;' 


inf»  sotno  braiuly  which  wo  hjul  h'ft  all  ui;;ht  in  tho  pcttiimpro  wns 
fouml  thick  like;  fro/on  oil;  and  soiiio  Spitiiisli  wiiu;  wliich  1  hiul  tor 
tho  Mass  wa.H  frozen.  Tlio  fiirtlior  wo  wont  (hiwn  it,  tho  imiro  wo 
found  that  tho  river  winded  ;  tlio  wind  foUowod  all  thcHu  turnings, 
anil  which  way  soever  it  came,  tho  eold  was  still  excessive.  Tlu-y 
had  never  known  uny  thing  like  it  in  this  eountry  in  tho  memory  cjf 
man. 

TIio  same  day  wo  perceived  on  tho  right  side  of  tho  river  a  post 
sot  up  ;  wo  wont  near  it,  and  wo  found  it  was  a  monument  set  up  by 
tho  Illinois  for  an  expedition  thoy  had  lately  made  against  tho 
Chieaehas.  There  were  two  llgiiros  of  men  without  heads,  and  sumo 
entire.  Tho  lirst  denoted  the  dead,  and  the  second  tho  prisoners. 
Ono  of  my  conductors  told  mo  on  this  occasion,  that  when  thero  are 
any  French  among  either,  they  set  their  arms  a-kimbo,  or  their  hands 
ujion  their  hips,  to  distinguish  them  from  thct  savages,  whom  thoy 
represent  with  their  arms  hanging  down.  This  distinction  is  not 
purely  arbitrary;  it  proceeds  from  these  people  having  observed  that 
tho  French  often  put  themselves  in  this  posture,  which  is  not  used 
among  them. 

tJarcilasso  do  la  Vega  speaks  of  tho  (.Miicachas  in  his  History  of 
the  Conijuest  of  Florida,  and  places  them  nearly  in  tho  same  jihico 
where  they  are  at  present.  Ilo  reckons  them  among  the  people  of 
Florida  who  submitted  to  tho  Sjjaniards  ;  but  this  protended  sub- 
mission lasted  no  longer  than  the  Spaniards  continued  in  their 
neighborhood;  and  it  is  certain  that  tho  Spaniards  bought  the  victory 
dear  which  they  gained  over  them.  They  are  still  the  bravest 
warriors  of  Louisiana.  They  wore  much  more  numerous  in  tho  time 
of  Ferdinand  do  Soto  than  thoy  are  at  present;*  but  for  the  riches, 
which  this  historian  gives  them,  I  do  not  easily  conceive  neither 
from  whore  thoy  could  get  them,  nor  what  could  dry  up  the  source 
from  whence  they  derived  them  ;  for  they  are  now  neither  more 
wealthy  nor  less  savage  than  their  neighbor  nations. 

It  was  our  alliance  with  the  Illinois  which  set  us  at  war  with  the 
Chieaehas,  and  the  English  of  Carolina  blew  up  the  fire.  Our  set- 
tlement in  Louisiana  makes  them  very  unca.sy  ;  it  is  a  barrier,  which 
we  set  between  their  powerful  colonies  of  North  America  and  3Iexico, 
and  we  must  expect  they  will  employ  all  sorts  of  moans  to  break  it. 
The  Spaniards,  who  are  so  jealous  of  seeing  us  fortify  ourselves  in 
this  country,  are  not  yet  sensible  of  the  importance  of  the  service 


♦  Sec  a  translation  of  the  narrative  of  Dc  Soto's  expedition,  in  second  volume 
of  the  Historical  Collections  of  Louisiana. 


JOIJRNAI.    OF    FATIIKU    CilAKI.F.VOIX. 


125 


(ro  was 

li:i«l  tor 
lori^  wo 

imory  of 

let  up  ijy 

lillMt   tlio 
uul  S<»1110 

irirtiinors. 
tlicro  arc 
icir  hands 
■\m\\  thoy 
L)ii  is  not 
crved  that 
not  used 

History  of 
,auK"  place 
!   jieiiplo  of 
•nded  sub- 
in   tlieir 
the  victory 
he  bravest 
in  the  time 
the  riches, 
live  neither 
the  source 
ither  more 

yax  with  the 
Our  set- 
Irricr,  which 
land  Mexico, 
]  to  break  it. 
jurselves  in 
the  service 

second  volume 


wo  do  tlicm.  A  ft'W  days  after  T  liad  jiassrd  })y  tlio  place  whoro  wo 
saw  thi'  post  of  tlio  Illinois,  tlio  (Miiciclias  li;id  tlioir  rovoiij^o  on  two 
Kri'iicliiiK'n,  who  ffillowcd  nio  in  a  pt'tfiaii;^ro.  Tln'S((  s;ivii;,'rs  l.iy  in 
ftMiliiiMli  in  the  reeds,  by  tlio  side  of  the  river,  and  when  tlioy  saw  the 
Frenchmen  over  against  tliein.  thoy  moved  tlii>  reeds,  without  dis- 
coverin;^  themsidves ;  the  Freneli;iien  tlioii;,'lit  it  was  a  bejir  or  .some 
other  beast,  and  they  a|)|iro:icii('d.  tliinkiii;.'  to  kill  it ;  but  tin'  moment 
thoy  prepared  to  land,  the  ('liie;ielias  fired  npon  them  and  laid  them 
dead  in  tlioir  pettiaiigro.  I  was  very  fortunate  in  not  being  seen  iiy 
them,  for  my  people  would  lose  no  opportunity  of  going  after  game. 

On  the  '2;td,  after  a  very  cold  night,  we  had  a  very  fine  day  ;  fur 
though  the  earth  was  covered  with  snow,  the  cold  was  to  be  borne. 
The  next  day  we  passed  before  the  mouth  of  the  river  of  the  Chica- 
chas,  which  is  but  narrow,  but  it  eonu-s  a  great  way.  Its  mouth  is 
north  and  south.  They  reckon  from  thence  to  the  Kaskaskias 
eighty-si.K  leagues;  but  the  way  would  not  bo  half  so  much  by  land. 
Nothing  would  be  more  pleasant  than  this  navigation,  if  the  season 
was  milder  ;  the  country  is  charming,  and  in  the  forests  there  are  a 
numb(!r  of  trees  always  green  ;  the  few  meadows  wo  meet  with  also 
preserve  tlioir  verdure,  and  a  eonsidorablo  number  of  islands  well 
wooded,  some  of  which  are  pretty  large,  form  very  agreeable  canals, 
when;  the  largest  ships  may  pass :  for  they  say,  that  at  above  four 
hundred  and  titty  leagues  from  the  sea  they  find  in  this  river  even 
to  sixty  fathom  water. 

As  to  what  concerns  the  forests,  which  cover  almost  all  this  great 
country,  there  are  iiorhajis  none  in  the  world  that  are  comparable  to 
them,  if  wo  consider  either  the  bigness  and  height  of  tho  trees,  or 
the  variety  and  the  uses  that  may  be  made  of  them  ;  for  excepting 
woods  for  dyeing,  which  re([uire  a  warmer  sun  and  which   are  found 
only  between  the  tropics,  we  cannot  say  that   there  is  any  kind  of 
wood  wanting  here.     There  are  woods  of  cypress  that  extend  eight 
or  ten  leagues.     All  tho  cypress  trees  here  are  of  a  bigness  propor- 
tionable to  their  heij'ht.  which  exceeds  tli.it  of  the  hiiihest  trees   in 
France.     We  begin  to  be  acijuainted  in  Europe  with  that  species  of 
evergreen  laurel,  which  we  call  the   tulip  tree  from  the  shape  of  its 
flowers.     It  grows  higher  than  our  horse-chestnut  trees,  and  has  a 
finer  leaf     The  copalme  is  still  bigger  and  higher,  and  they  distil 
from  it  a  balsam  which  perhaps  is  not  much  inferior  to  that  of  Peru. 
All  the  known  species  of  walnuts  are  here  very  numerous,  and  also 
all  the  woods  that  are  fit  for  building  and  the  carpenter's  use,  that 
can  be  desired.     IJtit  in  using  them,  care   must  be  taken  not  to  fix 
upon  those  which  grow  on  tho  side  of  the  river,  nor  where  the  inun- 


Mi! 


-iV 


k — 


'111 


126 


IIISTORICAfi    COLLF.CTIOXS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


dation  of  the  river  rcaolios,  because  liaviiig  their  roots  continually  in 
the  water,  they  will  be  too  heavy,  anil  will  soon  rot. 

At  leii;j;th,  I  arrived  yesterday,  December  the  2d,  at  the  first  vil- 
lage of  the  Arkansas  or  Akanseas,  about  ten  in  the  morning.  This 
village  is  built  in  a  little  meadow  on  the  west  side  of  the  Missis- 
sippi. Tliere  are  three  others  in  the  space  of  eight  leagues,  and  each 
makes  a  nation  or  particular  tribe ;  there  is  also  one  of  the  four 
which  unites  two  tribes  ;  but  they  are  all  comprised  unde/  the  name 
of  Arkansas.  They  call  tlie  savages  which  inhabit  the  village  from 
whence  I  write,  Ouyapas.  The  Western  Company  have  a  magazine 
here  which  expects  some  merchandises,  and  a  clerk,  who  fares  but 
poorly  in  the  mean  time,  and  who  is  heartily  weary  of  living  hero. 

The  river  of  the  Arkansas,  which  they  say  comes  a  great  way, 
runs  into  the  Mississippi  by  two  channels,  four  leagues  distant  front 
each  other.  Tlie  first  is  eight  leagues  tioni  hence.  This  river  comes, 
as  they  say,  from  the  country  of  certain  savages,  whom  they  call  the 
Black  Panis,  and  I  think  they  are  the  .same  which  are  more  com- 
monly known  by  the  name  of  Panis  lliearas.  I  have  with  me  a 
slave  of  this  nation.  One  goes  up  tlie  river  of  the  Arkansas  with 
difficulty,  because  there  are  many  falls  or  torrents  in  it,  and  in  many 
places  the  waters  are  often  so  low  that  there  is  a  necessity  to  tow 
the  pcttiaugres. 

The  separation  of  its  two  branches  is  made  at  seven  leagues  above 
the  second,  and  the  smallest  of  its  two  mouths  but  onl}'  at  two  leagues 
above  the  first.  It  receives  a  fine  river  tliat  comes  from  the  country 
of  the  Osages,  and  whicli  they  call  La  Riviere  Blanche  (the  White 
Eiver).  Two  leagues  higher  are  the  Torimans  and  the  Togingas, 
who  make  but  one  village.  Two  leagues  higher  arc  the  Sothouis. 
Tho  Kappas  are  a  little  further.  Tiiis  nation  was  very  numerous  at 
the  time  of  Ferdinand  de  Soto,  and  even  when  M.  de  la  Salle  liiiished 
the  discovery  of  the  Mississippi.*  Over  against  tlieir  village  wc  see 
the  sad  ruins  of  Mr,  Law's  grant,  of  which  the  company  remain  the 
proprietors. 

It  was  here  that  the  nine  thousand  Germans  were  to  be  sent, 
which  were  raised  in  the  Palatinate,  and  'tis  a  great  pity  they  never 
came.  There  is  not  perhaps  in  all  Louisiana  a  country  more  fit,  after 
that  of  the  Illinois,  to  produce  all  sorts  of  grain,  and  to  feed  cattle. 
But  Mr.  liaw  was  ill-used,  as  well  as  the  greatest  part  of  the  other 
grantees.     It  is  very  probable,  that  it  will  be  a  long  time  before  they 


*  Soo  ail  account  of  tliesc  nations  in  a  Jreiuoir  of  the  Sieur  de  la  Tonty.  in 
the  first  volume  of  the  Historical  Collections  of  Louisiana. 


10  sent, 
^y  never 
iit,  after 
cattle. 
10  other 
ore  they 

Tuutv.  in 


■'i 


JOURNAL  OF  FATHER  CHARLEVOIX. 


127 


will  bo  able  to  make  such  large  levies  of  men  ;  they  have  need  of  thorn 
in  the  kingdom,  and  indeed  it  is  pretty  connnon  among  us  to  square 
our  measures  according  to  the  success  of  such  enterprises,  instead  of 
observing  what  their  miscarriage  was  owing  to,  in  order  to  correct 
what  was  before  done  amiss. 

I  found  the  village  of  the  Ouyapas  in  the  greatest  tribulation> 
Not  long  since,  a  Frenchman  passing  this  way  was  attacked  with  the 
sraall-pox  ;  the  distemper  was  commuuicated  presently  to  some  sav- 
ages, and  soon  after  to  the  whole  village.  The  burying-placo  appears 
like  a  forest  of  poles  and  posts  newly  set  up.  and  on  which  tliero 
hangs  all  manner  of  things:  tliero  is  every  thing  which  the  savages 
use. 

I  had  set  up  my  tent  pretty  near  the  village,  and  all  the  night  I 
heard  weeping ;  the  men  do  this  as  well  as  the  women  ;  tliey  repeated 
without  ceasing  Nihahani,  as  the  Illinois  do,  and  in  the  same 
tone.  I  also  saw  in  the  evening  a  woman,  who  wept  over  the  grave 
of  her  son,  and  who  poured  ujton  it  a  great  <|uantity  of  sagamite. 
Another  had  made  a  fire  by  a  neighboring  tomb,  in  all  appcnvrance  to 
worm  the  dead.  The  Arkansas  are  i-eckoued  to  be  the  tallest  and 
best-shaped  of  all  the  savages  ou  this  continent,  and  they  are  called  by 
way  of  distinction  the  fine  men.  It  is  tliought,  and  perhaps  for  this 
reason,  that  they  have  the  same  origin  as  the  Canscz  of  the  Missouri, 
and  the  Poutcouatamis  of  Canada.* 

*  The  Arkansas  nation,  next  to  tlie  Xatclioz,  was  prdbably  the  most  civi- 
lized of  all  the  alitiri,!j;in(.'S  ut'  tmr  cunntiy.  At  the  time  of  De  Soto's  visit,  tlu^y 
i  ved  in  mud-walled  towns,  fortilied  with  high  circular  towers.  They  worshii)iie(l 
a  Great  Spirit  which  tliey  called  Cdwicvjichlt.  and  when  it  thundered  they  said  it 
was  the  Lord  of  Lile  who  s()oke  to  them.  Tliey  also  worshipintd  both  the  sun 
and  moon.  From  the  jieeuliar  structure  of  their  l;ui<juage,  and  the  terminations 
of  their  words,  it  must  he  inferred  that  they  were  the  deseeiidaiits  of  the  Aztec 
race.  Belbre  going  to  war  they  made  a  great  least,  and  after  it  was  f)ver  they 
held  a  council,  to  which  they  invited  their  allies  to  assist  them  in  their  deliber- 
ations. The  chiefs  painted  their  bodies  blaek.  and  fasted  some  days  before  set- 
ting out,  after  which  they  washed  it  ott'  and  painted  themselves  red.  They 
consulted  their  Munilou  on  all  occasions:,  which  was  sonielimes  an  animal,  a 
bird,  or  a  snake,  and  attributed  all  of  their  good  or  bad  luek  to  it.  The  Nat- 
chez, Houmas,  and  other  .Afississippi  tribes,  worshipped  the  sun.  and  kept  up  a 
perpetual  fire  in  their  temples;  and  a(,  one  period  in  the  history  of  the  south- 
western Indians,  the  worship  of  the  sun  was  not  less  common  among  them  than 
it  was  among  the  iirimitivc  nations  of  the  old  world,  and  who  can  then  doubt 
for  a  moment  that  most  of  our  southern  tribes  were  the  deseeiHhuits  of  the  Az- 
tecs of  JNIexico  and  the  Incas  of  Peru  ?  lor  like  them  they  built  mounds  and 
temples,  and  performed  sacrilices.  The  best  writers  on  Indian  antiquities  now 
.qdmit  that  they  are  at  least  analogous  to  those  of  :Mexico.    The  Indian  mounds 


It 


128 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


At  tfje  Natchez,  Dec.  25,  1721. 
I  departed  on  the  3d  of  December  something  late  from  the  village 
of  the  Ouyapas ;  nevertheless  I  went  to  encamp  a  little  below  the 
first  mouth  of  the  river  of  the  Arkansas,  which  appeared  to  me  to  be 

of  Louisiana  and  Mississippi,  of  wliich  so  little  is  known  and  much  less  has 
been  written,  are  among  the  most  extensive  and  interesting  of  any  on  this  con- 
tinent. Many  of  them  are  from  fifty  to  one  hundred  yards  in  len'gtli,  and  from 
ten  to  fifty  feet  high,  and  forming  regular  quadrangular  terraces.  No  less  than 
five  extensive  mounds  are  situated  near  the  junction  of  the  Washita,  Catahoola 
and  Taensas  rivers,  in  an  alluvial  soil.  Four  of  them  are  nearly  of  eciual  dimen- 
sions, about  twenty  feet  high,  one  hundred  feet  hroad,  and  three  huudred  feet 
long.  Tiu!  fifth  seems  to  have  been  designed  for  a  tower  or  turret,  the  base  of 
which  covers  an  acre  of  ground.  It  rises  by  two  stei)s  or  stories ;  its  circiunfur- 
ence  gradually  diminishes  as  it  is  ascended,  and  its  summit  is  crowned  by  a 
flattened  cone.  The  height  of  the  tower  is  about  eighty  feet,  and  seems  to 
have  been  designed  in  ))art  for  defence  and  in  part  for  the  reception  of  the  dead. 
Tiie  great  mounds  of  the  Natchez,  and  others  on  the  coast  and  islands  of  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico  and  the  lakes  of  the  Delta,  are  not  less  remarkable  for  their  ex- 
tent than  their  height,  and  evince  a  knowledge  of  the  science  of  fortifications 
that  would  do  credit  both  to  the  ingenuity  and  science  of  a  more  civilized  peo- 
ple. In  time  of  war  the  Arkansas  tribes  armed  themselves  with  a  war-club, 
a  bow  and  arrows,  which  they  swung  to  their  backs.  Their  baggage  consisted 
of  a  bear's  skin  which  served  them  for  a  bed,  a  bull'alo  .skin  to  cover  them,  and 
a  wild  cat's  skin  for  a  pouch  or  bag  to  hold  their  calumet  and  tobacco.  They 
each  took  with  them  :'  small  bag  of  roasted  corn,  pounded  line,  which  they 
mixed  with  a  little  water,  to  eat  with  their  bear  or  buffalo  meat.  If  victorious, 
they  returned  with  their  prisoners  to  their  villages,  where  it  was  the  privilege 
of  the  women  to  receive  them,  and  if  they  had  lost  their  husbands  or  sons,  to 
K'i)lace  them  with  their  cai)tives,  but  if  they  had  not,  they  were  then  tortured 
and  l)urned  at  a  slow  fire.  For  a  description  of  the  other  more  powerful  tribes 
east  of  the  Mississippi,  with  whom  the  French  made  treaties  of  alliance  and 
had  constant  intercourse  up  to  the  period  of  the  cession  of  Louisiana  to  Spain, 
I  am  indebted  for  the  following  graphic  and  interesting  account  left  by  an 
eminent  American  naturalist  and  botanist,  who  travelled  among  them  at 
that  early  period.  The  males  of  the  Cherokees,  Chicachas,  Chactas,  JNIus- 
cogulges  or  Creeks,  and  their  confederate  tribes,  (.says  Mr.  Bartram,)  are 
tall,  erect,  and  moderately  robust;  their  limbs  well-shaped,  so  as  generally 
to  form  a  perfect  human  figure;  their  features  regular,  and  countenance 
open,  dignified  and  placid;  yet  thi' forehead  and  brow  so  formed .  as  to  strike 
you  instantly  willi  heroism  and  bravery ;  the  eyv  though  rather  small,  yet 
active  and  full  of  fire ;  the  iris  always  black,  and  the  nose  commonly  inclining 
to  the  aciuiline. 

Their  countenance  and  actions  exhibit  an  air  of  magnanimity,  superiority  and 
inde])endcnce. 

Their  c()m])lexion  is  of  a  reddish  brown  or  copper  color ;  their  hair  long,  lank, 
coarse,  and  black  as  a  raven,  and  reflecting  the  like  lustre  at  dillereut  expo- 
sures to  the  light. 


JOURNAL  OF  FATHER  CHARLEVOIX. 


129 


at  most  but  five  hundred  paces  wide.  The  next  day  I  passed  hy  the 
second,  which  is  very  narri  .v,  and  the  5th  we  puslied  on  to  La  INiint 
Coupee  (the  point  cut  oif).     This  was  a  pretty  high  point,  which  ad- 


The  women  of  tlio  Chorokees  arc  tiill,  sU'IkUt,  erect,  and  of  a  delicate  fVainc  ; 
tlioir  features  forniod  witli  perfect  synuuetry,  tlieir  couuteniince  cheerful  and 
friendly,  and  they  n)ov(!  with  a  beeoniiiig  grace  and  dignity. 

The  Muscogulge  or  Creek  women,  though  remarkably  short  of  stature,  are  well 
formed  ;  their  visage  ro\uid.  features  regular  and  beautiful ;  the  brow  high  and 
arched  ;  the  eye  large,  black  aiul  languishing,  expressive  of  modesty,  dilhilenco, 
and  biishfiilness ;  these  charms  are  their  defensive  and  ollensive  weajjons, 
and  they  know  very  well  how  to  play  them  off,  and  under  cover  of  these  allur- 
ing graces,  are  concealed  the  most  subtle  artifice;  they  are,  however,  loving 
and  affectionate :  they  are,  I  believe,  the  smallest  race  of  women  yet  known, 
seldom  above  five  feet  high,  and  I  believe  the  greater  number  never  arrive  to 
that  stature  ;  their  hands  and  feet  not  larger  than  those  of  Europeans  of  nine 
or  ten  years  of  age  :  yet  the  men  are  of  gigantic  stature,  a  full  size  larger  than 
Europeans  ;  many  of  them  above  six  feet,  a  few  under  that,  or  Ave  feet  eight 
or  ten  inches.  Their  com])lexion  nuu'h  darker  than  any  of  the  tribes  to  the 
nortli  of  them  that  I  have  seen.  This  description  will,  I  believe,  comprehend 
the  Muscogulges,  their  confederates  the  Cliactaws.  and  I  believe  the  Chicasaws 
(thongh  I  have  never  seen  their  women),  extieptiiig  however  some  bands  of  the 
Seminoles,  Uches  and  Savannucas,  who  are  rather  taller  and  slenderer,  and  their 
comjilexion  brighter. 

Tlu!  Cherokees  are  yet  taller  and  more  robust  than  the  Muscogulges,  and  by 
far  the  largest  race  of  men  I  have  seen  ;  their  complexion  brighter  and  some- 
what of  the  olive  cast,  esi)ocially  the  adults;  and  some  of  their  young  women 
are  nearly  as  fair  and  blooming  as  European  women. 

The  Cherokees  in  their  dispositions  and  manners  are  grave  and  steady;  dig- 
nified and  circumspect  in  their  deportment ;  rather  slow  and  reserved  in  con- 
versii*!on,  yet  frank,  cheerful,  and  humane;  tenacious  of  the  liberties  and 
natui.d  rights  of  man ;  secret,  delilierate  and  determined  in  their  councils; 
honest  just  and  liberal,  and  ready  always  to  sacrifice  every  pleasure  and  grati- 
fication, even  their  blood,  and  life  itself,  to  defend  their  territory  and  maintain 
their  rights. 

The  Muscogulges  or  Creeks  are  a  i)roud,  haughty  and  arrogant  race  of  men  ; 
they  are  brave  and  valiant  in  war,  ambitioiis  of  eoncpu'st,  restless  and  per]H'tually 
exercising  their  arms,  yet  magnanimous  and  merciful  to  a  vamiuished  enemy, 
when  he  submits  and  seeks  their  friendship  and  protection  :  always  uniting  the 
van((uished  tribes  in  confederacy  with  them  ;  when  they  inuuediately  enjoy,  un- 
exee|itionably,  every  right  of  free  citizens,  and  are  from  that  moment  united  in 
one  c(imnu)n  band  of  brotherhood.  They  were  never  known  to  exterminate  a 
tribe.  excei)t  the  Yamusees,  who  would  never  submit  on  any  terms,  but  fought  it 
out  to  the  last,  only  about  forty  or  tU\y  of  them  escaping  at  the  last  decisive 
battle,  who  threw  themselves  under  the  protection  of  the  Spaniards  at  St, 
Augustine. 

If  we  consider  them  with  respect  to  their  private  character,  or  in  a  moral  point 
of  view,  tliey  must,  I  tliink,  claim  our  approbation,  if  we  divest  ourselves  (jfpre. 
judice  and  think  freely.  As  moral  men  they  certainly  stand  in  no  need  of 
European  civilizatiou. 


c! ; 


130 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


vfinooJ  into  the  river  on  the  west  side  :  tlic  river  lias  cut  it  off,  and 
made  it  an  island,  but  the  new  channel  is  not  yet  passable,  but  in  the 
time  of  the  floods.     They  reckon  from  this  place  to  the  principal 

TIk'V  aiv  just,  lioncst,  liboral,  and  hos])ital)lo  to  strangers  ;  coiisidoratc.  lov- 
ing; and  alli'i'tioiiato  to  tlu'ir  wives  and  relations  ;  fcmd  of  tjieir  children  ;  indus- 
trious, frugal,  tein])erate  and  i)erse\'oring;  charitable  and  forbearing,  1  have 
been  weeks  and  months  amongst  them  and  in  their  towns,  and  never  observed 
the  least  sign  of  contention  or  wrangling;  never  saw  an  instance  of  an  Indian 
beating  his  wife,  or  even  reiiroving  her  in  anger.  In  this  case  they  stand  as 
examples  of  rej)roof  to  the  most  civilized  nations,  as  not  being  defective  in  Jus- 
tice, gratitude  and  a  good  understanding;  for  indeed  their  wives  merit  their 
esteem  and  the  most  gentle  treatnuMit,  they  being  industrious,  frugal,  careful, 
loving  and  affectionate. 

The  Muscogulges  are  more  viilatile,  sprightly  and  talkative  than  their  north- 
ern neighbors,  the  Cherokees;  and.  though  far  more  distant  from  the  white 
settlements  than  any  nation  east  of  the  ^Mississippi  or  Ohio,  a|)pear  evidently  to 
have  made  greater  advances  towards  the  relinements  of  true  civilization,  which 
cannot,  in  the  least  degree,  be  attributed  to  the  good  exami)lcs  of  the  white 
poople. 

Their  internal  i)olico  and  family  economy  at  once  engage  the  notice  of 
Euro[)eaii  travellers,  and  incoiitrovertibly  place  these  peoi)le  in  an  illustrious 
point  of  view :  their  liberality,  intimacy  and  friendly  intercourse  one  with 
another,  without  any  restraint  of  ceremonious  formality,  as  if  they  were  even 
insensible  of  the  use  or  necessity  of  associating  the  jiassions  or  affections  of 
avarice,  ambition  or  covetousuess. 

The  JIuseogulges,  with  their  confederates,  the  Chactaws,  Chicasaws.  and 
perhaps  the  Cherokees,  eminently  deserve  the  encomium  of  all  nations,  for  tlii'ir 
wisdtmi  and  virtue  in  resisting  and  even  repelling  the  greatest,  and  even  the 
comnuni  enemy  of  mankind,  at  least  of  most  of  the  European  nations,  I  mean 
spirituous  litiuors. 

The  constitution  or  system  of  their  police  is  simply  natural,  and  as  little 
comiilicated  as  that  which  is  supposed  to  direct  or  rule  the  ap[)roved  economy 
of  the  ant  and  the  bee;  and  seems  to  be  nothing  nu)re  than  the  simple  dictates 
of  natural  reason,  plain  to  every  one,  yet  recommended  to  them  by  their  wise 
and  virtuous  elders  as  divine,  because  necessary  for  securing  mutual  hapiiiness  ; 
ecjually  binding  and  effectual,  as  being  proposed  and  assented  to  in  the  general 
combination  :  every  one's  conscience  being  a  sullicient  conviction  (the  golden 
rule,  do  as  you  would  be  done  by)  instantly  presents  to  view,  and  jn'oduces  a 
society  of  peace  and  love,  which  in  effect  better  nuaintains  human  hap|)iness, 
than  the  most  comiilicated  system  of  modern  i)olitics,  or  sumjituary  laws,  en- 
forced by  coercive  means ;  for  here  the  people  are  all  on  an  eciuality,  as  to  the 
possession  and  enjoynients  of  the  common  necessaries  and  conveniences  of  life, 
for  luxuries  and  suiiertluities  they  have  none. 

This  natural  con,stitution  ii-'  simply  subordinate,  and  the  supreme,  sovereign 
or  executive  iiower  resides  in  a  council  of  elderly  chiefs,  warriors  and  others, 
respectable  for  wisdom,  valor  and  virtue. 

At  the  head  of  this  venerable  senate  presides  their  mico  or  king,  which 
signifies  a  magistrate  or  chief  ruler;  the  governors  of  Carolina,  Georgia,  &c., 


i 


aws.  and 
>r  tlii'ir 
vt'u  the 
1  iiieau 

us  little 
'coiumiy 

lii'tates 
•ir  wise 
ipilK'SS  ; 

irniiTal 

golden 

odiu'cs  a 

ppiiiuss, 

aws.  en- 

is  to  the 

of  lifij, 

ovc'i'c'ign 
others, 

which 
la,  vSce., 


JOURNAL  OF  FATHER  CHARLEVOIX. 


131 


branch  of  the  rivor  of  the  Arkansas  twenty-two  leagues,  but  it  is  not 
perhaps  tun  in  a  straight  line,  for  the  river  winds  much  in  the  seventy 
leagues  we  make  to  go  from  the  village  of  the  Ouyapas  to  the  river 

arc  calle<l  niicos,  and  the  King  of  England  Is  called  Ant-apala-niico-clucco,  that 
is,  th(!  great  king,  over  f)r  heyond  the  great  water. 

The  king,  although  he  is  aeknowleilged  to  he  the  first  and  greatest  rnan  in 
the  town  or  tiihe,  and  honored  with  every  due  and  rational  mark  of  love  and 
esteem,  and  when  [jresiding  in  council,  with  a  humility  and  homage  as  reverent 
as  that  [i.'ud  to  the  niost  despotic  monarch  in  Europe  or  the  east,  and  when  ab- 
sent his  siMt  is  not  tilU'd  by  any  other  jierson,  yet  he  is  not  dreaded;  and  when 
out  of  the  council,  he  associates  with  the  pecjple  as  a  conuuon  man,  converses 
with  them,  and  they  with  him,  in  ])erfect  ease  and  familiarity. 

The  most  active  ])art  the  mico  takes  is  in  the  civil  government  of  th(!  town 
or  tribe:  here  he  has  the  jiower  and  prerogative  of  calling  a  council,  to  deli- 
berate on  jicace  and  war,  or  all  iiublie  concerns,  as  in(tuiring  into,  and  deciding 
upon  complaints  and  dill'erences;  but  he  has  not  tlie  least  shadow  of  exclusive 
executive  power.  lie  is  ct)mi)limentcd  with  the  lir.st  visits  of  strangers,  giving 
audience  to  ambassadors,  with  presents,  and  he  has  also  the  disposal  of  the  pub- 
lic granary. 

The  next  man  in  order  of  dignity  and  power,  is  the  great  war  chief:  he  re- 
presents and  exercises  the  dignity  of  the  mico,  in  his  absence  in  council;  his 
voice  is  of  the  greatest  weight  in  military  all'airs;  his  power  and  authority  are 
entirely  indei)endent  of  the  mico.  though  when  a  mico  goes  on  an  expeililion, 
ho  beads  the  army,  and  is  there  the  war  chief.  There  are  many  of  these  war 
chiefs  in  a  town  or  tribe,  who  are  cajitaiiis  or  leaders  of  military  parties  :  they 
are  elderly  men,  who  in  their  youthful  days  have  distinguished  themsidves  in 
war  by  valor,  subtilty  and  intrepidity;  and  these  veteran  chiefs,  in  a  great  de- 
gree, constitute  their  truly  dignilied  and  venerable  senates. 

There  is  iu  every  town  or  tribe  a  high  priest,  usually  called  by  the  white 
people  Jugglers  or  conjurers,  besides  several  juniors  or  grad\uites.  But  the  an- 
cient high  priest  or  seer  presides  iu  spiritual  alliiirs,  and  is  a  i)erson  of  conse- 
(luence  ;  he  maintains  and  exercises  great  inlluence  in  the  state,  particularly  in 
military  atliiirs  ;  the  senate  nevrr  determine  on  an  expedition  against  their  ene- 
my without  his  counsel  and  as.^stance.  These  ])eople  generally  bt'lieve  that 
their  seer  has  conununion  with  powerful  invisible  spirits,  wln>  they  .su[>i)ose 
have  a  share  in  the  rule  and  government  (jf  human  alliiirs,  as  well  as  the  ele- 
ments ;  that  he  can  predict  the  result  of  an  expedition  ;  and  his  intlueiice  is  so 
great,  that  they  liave  been  known  fre([uently  to  stop  and  turn  back  an  army, 
when  within  a  day's  journey  of  tln'ir  enemy,  after  a  march  of  several  hundred 
miles;  and  indeed  their  predictions  have  surprised  many  i)eople.  Tlu'y  Ibivtcll 
rain  or  drought,  and  pretend  to  bring  ruin  at  pleasure,  cure  diseases,  and  exer- 
cise witchcraft,  invoke  or  ex[)el  evil  spirits,  and  even  assume  the  power  of  di. 
reeling  thunder  and  lightning. 

These  Indians  are  by  no  means  idolaters,  unless  their  jmfling  the  tobacco 
smoke  towards  the  sun,  and  rejoicing  at  the  upiKarunet'  of  the  new  moon  may 
be  termed  so.  So  far  from  idolatry  are  they,  that  they  have  no  ima;;('s  amongst 
tluni.  nor  any  religious  rite  or  ceriMuony  that  I  cmUd  perceive  ;  but  adore  tlte 
Great  Si)irit,  the  giver  and  taker  away  of  the  breath  of  life,  with  the  most  pro- 


n 


lit 


1  ' 


i 


I   [-■ 


'if 


: 


ft 


m 


hi 


t 


I  r\i 


.  r-.  —  \r"-  .±  '>-■■<*-  WW 


132 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


of  the  Yasous  or  Yachoux,  which  I  entered  the  9th  in  the  afternoon. 
It  has  not  snowed  here,  as  in  the  country  of  the  Illinois,  and  at  the 
river  Ouabacho,  but  there  has  fallen  a  hoar  frost,  which  has  broke 

found  and  respectful  liomage.  Tlicy  believe  in  a  future  state,  where  the  spirit 
exists,  whieh  thej*  call  the  world  of  spirits,  where  they  enjoy  ditferent  <U'gree8 
of  traiKiuillity  or  comfort,  agreeably  to  their  life  spent  here:  a  jjcrson  who  in 
his  life  lias  been  an  industrious  hunter,  ])rovided  wi'll  for  his  family,  an  intrepid 
and  active  warrior,  just,  ujjriglit,  and  done  all  the  good  ho  could,  will,  they  say, 
in  th(!  world  of  spirits,  live  in  a  warm  jjleasant  country,  where  are  expansive, 
green.  Ilowcry  savai  -is  and  high  forests,  watered  with  rivers  of  i)ure  waters, 
replenished  with  deer,  and  every  sjK'cies  of  gunie ;  a  serene,  unclouded  and 
peaci'ful  sky;  in  short,  where  tliere  is  fulness  of  pleasure  uninterrupted. 

They  have  many  accounts  of  trances  and  visions  of  their  people,  who  have 
been  supposed  to  be  dead,  but  afterwards  reviving,  have  related  their  visions, 
whieh  tend  to  enforce  the  i)raeticc  of  virtue  and  the  moral  duties. 

The  youth  of  both  sexes  are  fond  of  decorating  themselves  with  external  or- 
naments. The  men  shave  their  liead,  leaving  only  a  narrow  crest  or  comb,  be- 
ginning at  the  crown  of  the  head,  where  it  is  about  two  inches  broad  and  about 
the  same  height,  and  stands  frizzed  ujiright ;  but  this  crest  tending  backwards, 
gradually  widens,  covering  the  hinder  part  of  the  head  and  back  of  the  neck ;  the 
lank  hair  behind  is  ornamented  with  pendent  silver  quills,  and  then  jointed  or 
articulated  silver  plates;  and  usually  the  middle  fascicle  of  hair,  being  by  far 
the  longest,  is  wrapped  in  a  large  ((uill  of  silver,  or  the  joint  of  a  small  reed, 
curiously  sculptured  and  painted,  the  hair  continuing  througli  it  terminates  in 
a  tail  or  tassel. 

Tiieir  ears  are  lacerated,  separating  the  border  or  cartilaginous  limb,  which 
at  first  is  bound  round  very  close  and  tight  with  leather  strings  or  thongs,  and 
anointed  witli  fresh  bear's  oil,  imtil  healed  :  a  jiiece  of  lead  being  fastened  to  it, 
by  its  wt'iglit  extends  this  cartilage  an  incredible  lengtli,  which  afterwards  be- 
ing craped,  or  bound  round  in  brass  or  silver  wire,  extends  semicircularly  like 
a  bow  or  crescent ;  and  it  is  then  very  elastic,  even  so  as  to  si)ring  and  bound 
about  with  the  least  motion  or  tlexuro  of  the  body;  this  is  decorated  with  soft 
white  plumes  of  heron  feathers. 

A  very  curious  diadem  or  band,  about  four  inches  broad,  and  ingeniously 
wr(tught  or  woven,  and  curiously  di'corated  with  stones,  beads,  wampum,  por- 
cupine (piills.  &c.,  encircles  their  temples;  the  front  peak  of  it  being  embel- 
lished with  a  high  waving  plume  of  crane  or  heron  feathers. 

The  clothing  of  their  body  is  very  sinii)le  and  frugal.  Sometimes  a  ruflled 
shirt  of  fine  linen,  i\ext  the  skin,  and  a  llai),  which  covers  their  lower  i)arts;  this 
garment  somewhat  resembles  the  ancient  Roman  breeches,  or  the  kilt  of  the 
Highlamlcrs ;  it  usually  c<insists  of  a  ]>iece  of  blue  cloth,  about  eighteen  inches 
wide ;  this  they  pass  between  their  thiglis,  and  both  ends  being  taken  up  and 
drawn  through  a  belt  round  their  waist,  the  ends  fall  down,  one  before  and  the 
other  behinil,  not  ([uite  to  the  knee;  this  flap  is  usually  plaited  and  indented 
at  the  ends,  and  ornamented  with  beads,  tinsel  lace,  tfcc. 

The  leg  is  furnislied  with  cloth  boots;  they  reach  from  the  ancle  to  the  calf, 
and  are  ornamented  with  lace,  beads,  silver  bells,  &u. 

The  stillepica  or  moccasin  defends  and  adorns  the  feet ;  it  seems  to  be  an 


i 


i 


JOURNAL    OF    FATHER    CHARLEVOIX. 


133 


all  the  tender  trees,  with  which  the  low  points  and  the  wet  lands  arc 
covered  ;  one  would  think  that  some  one  had  broken  all  their  branches 
with  a  stick. 

imitation  of  the  ancient  busltin  or  samlal.  very  iiigenionsly  made  of  deer-sivius, 
dressed  very  soft,  atid  euridusly  oriianieiitcd  aeeonliiig  to  fancy. 

Beside  tills  attire,  tliey  have  a  larj^^e  mantle  of  tlie  finest  cluth  tliey  are  able 
to  pureliase,  always  either  of  a  searlet  or  blue  color ;  this  mantle  is  fancifully 
decorated  with  rich  lace  or  fringe  round  the  border,  and  often  with  little  round 
silver  or  brass  bells.  Some  have  a  short  cloak,  just  large  enough  to  cover  the 
shoulders  and  breast ;  this  is  most  ingeniously  constructed,  of  feathei.s  woven 
or  iilaced  in  a  natural  imbricated  manner,  usually  of  the  scarlet  feathers  of  tho 
llamingo,  or  others  of  the  gayest  color. 

They  have  large  silver  crescents  or  gorgets,  which  being  suspended  by  a  rib- 
bon round  the  neck,  lie  upon  the  breast;  and  the  arms  are  ornamented  with 
silver  bands  or  bracelets,  and  silver  and  gold  chains,  &c.,  a  collar  invests  the 
neck. 

Tho  head,  neck  and  breast,  arc  painted  with  vermilion,  and  some  of  the 
warriors  have  the  skin  of  the  breast,  and  muscular  i)arts  of  the  body,  very  cu- 
riously Inscribed  or  adorned  with  hieroglyphic  scrolls,  (lowers,  (igures  of  ani- 
mals, stars,  crescents,  and  the  sun  in  the  centre  of  the  breast.  This  painting  of 
the  tlesh,  1  understand,  is  i)erformed  In  their  youth,  by  pricking  the  skin  with  a 
needle,  until  the  blood  starts,  and  rubbing  in  a  bluish  tlnct,  which  Is  as  i)erma- 
nentas  their  life.  The  shirt  hangs  loose  about  the  waist,  like  a  frock,  or  si)llt 
down  before,  resembling  a  gown,  and  is  sometimes  wrapped  close,  and  the  waist 
encircled  by  a  curious  belt  or  sash. 

The  dress  of  the  females  Is  somewhat  dillerent  from  that  of  the  men  :  their 
flap  or  petticoat  is  made  after  a  dillerent  numner,  is  larger  and  longer,  reaching 
almost  to  the  middle  of  the  leg,  and  is  put  on  dillercntly  ;  they  have  no  shirt  or 
shift,  but  a  little  short  waistcoat,  usually  made  of  calico,  printed  linen,  or  fine 
cloth,  decorated  with  lace,  beads,  &c.  They  never  wear  boots  or  stockings,  but 
their  buskins  reach  to  the  middle  of  the  leg.  They  never  cut  their  hair,  but 
plait  it  in  wreaths,  W'hich  are  turned  up  and  fastened  on  tho  crown  with  a  silver 
broach,  Ibrming  a  wreathed  top-knot,  decorated  with  an  incredible  (juantltj- of 
silk  rilibons,  of  various  colors,  which  stream  down  on  every  sldeahnnst  to  tho 
ground.  They  never  paint,  except  those  of  a  particular  class,  when  disposed  to 
grant  certain  favors  to  the  other  sex. 

But  these  decorations  are  only  to  be  considered  as  indulgences  on  particular 
occasions,  and  the  privilege  of  youth;  as  at  weddings,  festivals,  dances,  &c.,  or 
when  the  men  assemble  to  act  the  war  farce,  on  the  evening  Immediately  preceding 
their  march  on  a  hostile  expedition ;  for  usually  they  are  almost  naked,  content- 
ing themselves  with  the  flap  and  sometimes  a  shirt,  boots  and  moccasins.  Tho 
mantle  is  seldom  worn  by  the  men,  except  at  night  in  the  winter  season,  when 
extremely  cold;  and  by  tho  women  at  dances,  when  it  serves  the  pur|)ose  of  a 
veil ;  and  the  females  always  wear  the  jacket,  flap,  and  buskin,  even  children  as 
soon  or  before  they  can  walk ;  whereas  the  male  youth  go  perfectly  naked  until 
they  are  twelve  or  fifteen  years  of  age. 

The  junior  priests  or  students  constantly  wear  the  mantle  or  robi^,  which  is 
white ;  and  they  have  a  great  owl  skin  cased  and  stufled  very  ingeniously,  so 


^ 


(i! 


IS 


11 


134 


mSTOUICAL    COI.LBCTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


ft  '  ' ' 

m 


I 


Tlio  entrance  of  tlio  river  of  the  Yasous  is  nortliwest  and  south- 
west, and  is  about  u  hundred  perches  wide  :  its  waters  are  reddish, 
and  tliey  say  they  give  the  bhjody-flux  to  tiiose  who  drink  them  ;  and 

Wfll  cxciutud,  as  almost  to  rcprcsi-iit  tlie  living  bird,  having  largo  si)arUling 
glass  liciiils  or  buttons  lixcil  in  tlic  licfid  for  eyes :  this  ensign  of  wisdom  and 
<livinatioii.  tlicy  wear  somrtinics  as  a  (.-rest  on  tlii>  top  of  llio  liwid,  at  ovlior 
timos  till'  imago  sits  on  the  arm.  or  is  borno  on  the  band.  'J'licse  bachelors  are 
also  distiiignisluible  from  the  otlnT  ]RM>i)If  by  tlu-ir  taciturnity,  grave  and 
solemn  countenance,  dignified  stej),  and  singing  to  themselves  songs  and  hymns 
in  a  low  sweet  vi.ice.  as  they  stroll  about  the  towns. 

These  iieojik',  like  all  other  nations,  are  fond  of  mnsic  and  dancing  :  their 
music  is  both  vocal  and  instrumental ;  but  of  the  latter  they  have  .scarcely  any 
thing  worth  the  name  ;  the  tamboiu'.  rattle-gouril.  and  a  kind  of  flute,  made  of  a 
joint  of  reed  or  the  tibia  of  the  deer's  leg;  on  this  instrument  they  perform 
badly,  and  at  best  it  is  rather  a  hideous  melancholy  discord  than  harmony.  It 
is  oidy  young  fellows  who  anuise  themselves  on  this  bowling  instrunu'ut ;  but 
the  tambour  and  rattle,  accompanied  with  their  sweet  low  voices,  produce  a  ])a- 
thetic  harmony,  keeping  exact  time  together,  and  the  countenance  of  the 
musician,  at  i)ro])er  times,  seems  to  ex])ress  the  solemn  elevated  state  of  the 
mind:  at  that  time  there  seems  not  oidy  a  harmony  between  him  and  his  in- 
strument, but  it  instantly  tonches  the  feelings  of  the  attentive  audience,  as  the 
influence  of  an  active  and  powerful  sjjirit ;  there  is  then  an  nnited  universal 
sensation  of  delight  and  i)eaceful  imion  of  souls  throughout  the  assembly. 

Their  music,  vocal  and  instrumental,  united,  keeps  exact  time  with  the  per- 
formers or  dancers. 

They  have  an  endless  variety  of  steps,  but  the  most  common,  and  that 
which  1  term  the  most  civil,  and  indeed  the  most  admired  and  practised  amongst 
themselves,  is  a  slow  shuflling  alternate  step;  both  feet  move  forward  one  after 
the  other,  first  the  right  foot  foremost,  and  next  tlu^  left,  moving  one  aftc.T  the 
other,  in  opposite  circles,  i.  e.  first  a  circle  of  young  men,  and  within  a  circle  of 
young  women,  moving  together  o])i)osite  ways,  the  men  with  the  course  of  the 
sun,  and  the  females  contrary  to  it ;  the  men  strike  their  arm  with  the  open 
hand,  and  the  girls  clap  hands,  and  raise  their  shrill  sweet  voices,  answering  an 
elevated  shout  of  the  men  at  stated  times  of  termination  of  the  stanzas  ;  and 
the  girls  ])erform  an  interlude  or  chorus  separately. 

To  accompany  their  dances  they  liave  songs  of  different  classes,  as  martial, 
bacchanalian  and  amorous,  which  last,  I  must  confess,  are  extravagantly  libi- 
dinous ;  and  they  have  moral  songs,  which  seem  to  be  the  most  esteemed  and 
practised,  and  answer  the  purpose  of  religious  lectures. 

Some  of  their  most  favorite  songs  and  dances  they  have  from  their  enemies, 
the  Chactaws ;  for  it  seems  these  people  are  very  eminent  for  poetry  and  music ; 
every  town  amongst  them  strives  to  excel  each  other  in  composing  new  songs 
for  dances ;  and  by  a  custom  amongst  them,  they  must  have  at  least  one  new 
song  for  exhibition  at  every  annual  busk. 

They  have  a  variety  of  games  for  exercise  and  pastime  :  some  particular  to 
the  men,  some  to  the  female  sex,  and  others  wherein  both  sexes  are  engaged. 

The  ball  play  is  esteemed  the  most  noble  and  manly  exercise.  This  game 
is  exhibited  hi  an  extensive  level  plain,  usually  contiguous  to  the  town :  the  in- 


n 


JOURNAL    OF    FATIIini    ClIAKLEVOIX. 


135 


bosidos  tliis,  the  air  is  very  unwliolosduu'.  I  was  oldigeJ  tn  <;o  up  it 
tlirt'L'  Irairucs  to  gtit  to  tlio  fort,  wliieli  I  found  all  in  uiournin^^  for 
the  death  of  M.  liizart,  who  couuuaudod  liore.     Every  where  tluit  I 

liabitiiiits  of  one  town  play  against  auotlior.  in  cousefiuciicL'  of  a  eliallciiu;!'.  wlin; 
tlu'  ymitli  of  bc.li  sexes  aro  ofli'ii  t'nj;iit;i'(l,  iiiid  .soiurtinu'S  sliil<c  tlicir  wliule 
suli.stani'c.  HiTc  tlioy  piTlnrui  aiiuiy.in;i;  li'iits  ol"  ^stl■^•Ill:tll  ami  aijiliiy.  'riio 
game  i)riiiL'i|)ally  consists  in  talving  and  caii'viiij,'  <>lf  tlii.'  ball  fnmi  tlii;  opposite 
party.  al'ttT  licing  hurled  into  the  air,  niiilway  lietwi'en  two  high  pillars,  whicli 
are  the  goals,  and  the  party  who  hears  uH'  the  hull  to  their  i)illar  w  ins  the  game, 
each  person  has  a  racket  or  hurl  which  is  an  inipleiuent  of  a  very  curious  con- 
structidU,  somewhat  resembling  a  ladk'  or  little  hnop-net,  with  a  handle  near 
three  feet  in  length,  the  hoop  and  handle  of  wood,  and  the  netting  i)f  thongs  of 
raw  hide,  or  tendons  of  an  animal. 

Tile  foot-ball  is  liI;ewiso  a  favorite,  manly  diversion  with  them.  Feasting 
and  dancing  in  the  sijuare  at  evening  ends  all  their  games. 

TIk  y  have  besidi's  feasts  or  festivals  almost  tor  every  niontli  in  the  year> 
whidi  are  ehietly  dcdicati'd  to  hunting  and  agriculture. 

The  busk,  or  feast  of  lirst-lYnits,  is  their  i)rincipal  festival;  this  seems  to  end 
the  last,  and  begin  the  new  year. 

It  conuuences  in  August,  when  their  new  crops  of  corn  are  arrived  to  per- 
fect maturity;  and  every  town  celebrates  the  busk  separately,  when  their  own 
harvest  is  ready. 

If  they  have  any  religious  rite  or  ceremony,  this  festival  is  its  most  solemn 
celebration. 

Wlien  a  town  celebrates  a  busk,  having  jireviously  provided  them.selves  with 
new  clothes,  new  pots,  pans,  and  other  household  utensils  and  furniture,  tliey 
collect  all  their  worn-out  clothes  and  other  (h's])icable  things,  .sweep  and  cleanse 
houses,  sijuares.  and  the  whole  *  )wn,  of  their  filth,  v.hich,  v  ith  all  the  remain- 
ing grain  and  other  old  provisions,  they  cast  tog'.'ther  latiy  one  comnuin  heap, 
and  consume  it  with  lire.  After  having  taken  medicine,  and  fasted  for  three 
days,  all  the  (ire  in  the  town  is  extinguished.  During  thi^,  fast  they  abstain 
from  the  gratilication  of  every  appetite  and  ]>assion  whatever.  A  general  am- 
nesty is  i)roclaimed,  all  malefactors  may  return  U>  their  town,  and  they  are  ab- 
solved from  their  crimes,  which  are  now  forgotten,  and  tliey  restored  to  favor. 

On  the  fourth  morning,  the  high  i)riest,  by  rubbing  dry  wowl  together,  pro- 
duces new  fire  in  the  public  sijuare,  from  whence  every  liabitation  in  the  town 
is  supplied  with  the  new  and  luu'e  flame. 

Then  the  women  go  forth  to  the  harvest  field,  and  bring  from  thence  new 
corn  and  fruits,  which  being  prepared  in  the  best  manner,  in  various  dishes,  and 
drink  withal,  is  brought  with  solemnity  to  tin.'  square,  where  the  pco|ile  are  as- 
sembled, apparelled  in  their  new  clothes  and  decorations.  The  men  having  re- 
galed themselves,  the  remainder  is  carried  off  and  distributed  amongst  the  fami- 
lies of  the  town.  The  women  and  children  solace  themselves  in  their  separate 
fiimilies,  and  in  the  evening  repair  to  the  public  s(iuare,  wliere  they  dance,  sing, 
and  rejoice  during  the  whole  night,  observing  a  proper  and  exemplary  decorum : 
this  continues  three  days,  and  the  four  following  days  they  receive  visits,  and 
rejoice  with  their  friends  from  neighboring  towns,  who  liave  purified  and  pre- 
pared themselves. 


I 

>  111. 


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136 


lllSTOniCAl.    COIiLECTIONd    OF    LOUISIANA. 


met  witli  any  Frcneliniori  in  liDuisiiinii,  \  Iiad  Iieard  vory  liigh  culo- 
giuins  of  this  ofiicor,  who  was  burn  in  Canada :  his  father  was  a  Swiss, 
and  a  majorat  Montreal.     At  the  Yasuus  they  told  inu  extraordinary 

As  to  nu'cliuiiie  arts  or  niaiuifiiL'turcs,  at  jiroseiit  they  liavo  scarcely  any  thing 
wortli  oliscrvation.  since  tiicy  arc  siipiilicd  with  necessaries,  conveniences,  and 
even  snpi'rtiuities  by  tlie  wiiite  traders.  Tlie  men  pcrCorni  notliing  except 
erecting  their  mean  hahitiitions,  Corniing  tiieir  cimoes.  stone  jiipes,  tiini))onr,  ea- 
gle's tail  or  stan(hird,  and  some  otlier  trilling  matters  ;  tor  war  and  hunting  arc 
their  principal  employments.  The  women  arc  more  vigilant,  and  turn  tiieir  at- 
tention to  various  manual  employments;  they  make  all  their  potti'ry  orciirthen- 
ware,  moccasins,  spin  and  weave  the  curious  helts  and  diadems  for  men,  fabri- 
cate lace,  fringe,  embroider  and  decorate  their  apparel,  &c.,  &c. 

As  to  thuir  marriage  ceremoides,  they  are  very  simple,  yet  dilTer  greatly  in 
the  various  nations  and  tribes.  Amongst  some  of  the  bands  in  the  Muscogulgo 
confederacy,  I  was  informed  the  mystery  is  performed  after  the  following  man- 
ner: When  a  young  man  has  fixed  his  afl'ections,  and  is  determiiu.'d  to  marry, 
he  takes  a  cane  or  reed,  such  as  they  stick  down  at  the  hills  of  their  bean  vines 
for  their  support:  with  this  (after  having  obtained  her  parents'  or  nearest  rela- 
tions' consent)  he  repairs  to  the  ha!)itation  of  his  beloved,  attended  by  his 
friends  and  associates,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  wedding  guests,  he  sticks  his 
reed  down  upright  in  the  ground;  when  soon  after  his  sweetheart  comes  forth 
with  another  reed,  which  she  sticks  down  by  the  side  of  his,  when  they  aro 
married:  then  they  exchange  reeds,  which  arc  laid  by  as  evidences  or  ci'rtili- 
cates  of  the  marriage,  which  is  celebrated  with  feasting,  nnisic  and  dancing ; 
each  one  of  their  relations  and  friends,  at  the  wedding,  contribute  something 
towards  establishing  the  new  family.  As  soon  as  the  wedding  is  over,  the  town 
is  convened,  and  the  council  orders  or  recommends  a  new  habitation  to  be  con- 
structed for  the  accomnjodation  of  the  new  tfimily ;  every  man  in  the  town  joins 
in  the  work,  which  is  begun  and  linished  in  a  day's  time. 

The  greatest  accomplishments  to  recommend  a  young  man  to  his  favorite 
maid,  are  to  prove  himself  a  brave  warrior  and  a  cunning,  industrious  hunter. 

They  marry  only  for  a  year's  time,  nnd,  according  to  ancient  custom,  at  the 
expiration  of  the  year  they  renew  the  marriage  ;  but  there  is  seldom  an  instance 
of  their  separating  after  they  have  children.  If  it  should  so  happen,  the  mother 
takes  the  children  under  lier  own  protection,  though  the  father  is  obliged  to  con- 
tribute towards  their  maintenance  during  their  minority  and  the  mother's  wi- 
dowhood. 

The  Muscogulges  allow  of  polygamy  in  the  utmost  latitude;  every  man 
takes  as  many  wives  as  ho  chooses,  but  the  first  is  queen,  and  the  others  her 
handmaids  and  associates. 

It  is  common  for  a  great  man  amongst  them,  who  has  already  half  a  dozen 
wives,  if  he  sees  a  child  of  eight  or  nine  years  of  age  who  plea.ses  him,  and  he 
can  agree  with  her  parents  or  guardians,  to  marry  her  and  take  her  into  his 
house  at  that  age. 

Adultery  is  always  punished  with  cropping,  which  is  the  only  corporal  pun- 
ishment amongst  them,  and  death  or  outlawry  for  murder,  and  infamy  for  less 
crimes,  as  fornication,  theft,  &c.,  which  produces  such  repeated  marks  and 
reflections  of  ridicule  and  contempt,  that  it  generally  ends  in  voluntary  banish- 


JfH;il\.\I.    OK    KATIIKIl    CIIAIU.F.VOIX. 


187 


thinrrs  of  his  roliirion.  liis  jiioty.  and  his  zoal,  of  which  ho  was  tlio  vic- 
tim. Kvcry  l)ii(ly  rt'i^rcttcil  jiiiii  as  their  fatlior.  and  ovory  one  agrees 
that  in  hising  him  tliis  ('(doiiy  has  had  an  irrt'|iarabl(!  hjss. 

mnit ;  ami  tlicxc  rciiri^'inlocs  ami  vagabonds  aro  giMicnilly  the  riillliuis  who  com- 
mit ilcpicilatiiiiis  ami  niiirdiTH  on  llic  rninticrs. 

'I'Im'  .Mnscognliji's  l)niy  tlicir  (li't'casfd  in  tlio  rartli.  They  dig  a  l'o\ir-.si|uaro 
di'cji  pit  under  the  cai)in  or  eonch  wliicli  the  deceased  lay  on  in  liis  lioiiso, 
lining  llie  grave  with  cypress  bark,  where  they  ])li'.ei'  the  corpse  in  a  sitting  pos- 
ture, as  il'it  were  alive:  depositing  with  him  his  gun.  tomahawk,  piiie,  and  such 
Other  matters  as  he  had  the  greatest  value  for  in  his  litrtime.  His  eldest  wilo, 
or  the  t|uei'n  dowager,  lias  tlw.'  second  choice  of  his  possi's.sions,  and  the  ri'maiu- 
ing  elli'cts  are  divided  amongst  his  other  wives  and  children. 

The  Cliuctaws  pay  their  last  duties  and  respect  to  tho  deceased  in  a  very 
diirerent  manner.  As  soon  as  the  jierson  is  dead,  they  erect  a  seatlbld  eiglileen 
or  twenty  feet  high,  in  a  grove  adjacent  to  the  town,  where  they  lay  the  eoiiiso, 
lightly  covered  with  a  mantle:  here  it  is  .siii;'ere(l  to  remain,  visited  and  pro- 
tected hy  the  friends  and  relations,  until  tin,- flesh  heeonies  putrid,  so  as  easily 
to  i)art  iVom  the  hones ;  then  nndertakers,  who  make  it  their  Inisiuess,  carefully 
strip  the  llesh  from  the  hoiK.'s.  wash  and  eleanse  them,  and  when  dry  and  puri- 
fied hy  the  air,  having  jirovided  a  curiously  wrought  chest  oreoflin,  fahricated 
of  bones  and  splints,  tlii'y  place  all  the  bones  therein  ;  it  is  then  deposited  in 
the  bone-house,  a  building  erectecl  for  that  pur|)ose  in  every  town.  And  wlien 
this  house  is  full  a  general  solenm  funeral  takes  place  ;  the  nearest  kindred  or 
frieiidsot'  the  deceased,  on  a  day  ai)i(ointe(l.  repair  to  the  boiie-housi?.  take  up 
the  respective  codius,  and  following  one  another  in  older  of  seniority,  the  near- 
est relations  and  comie.\ions  taking  nj)  their  respective  corpse,  and  the  niultitudo 
following  after  them,  all  as  one  liimily,  with  nnited  voice  of  alternate  .MIelujah 
and  lamentation,  slowly  proceed  to  tiie  jilaci'  of  general  interment,  where  they 
place  the  cotlius  in  order,  forming  a  pyramid;  and  lastly,  coverall  over  with 
earth,  which  raises  a  conical  hill  or  mount.  Then  they  return  to  town  in  order 
of  solemn  procession,  concluding  the  day  with  a  festival,  which  is  called  the 
feast  of  the  dead. 

The  Chactaws  are  called  by  the  traders  tlat.s,  or  tiat-lK'ads,  all  the  males 
having  the  fore  and  hind  part  of  their  skulls  artilieially  flattened,  or  compri'ssed; 
which  is  elfected  after  the  following  maiuicr:  As  soon  as  the  child  is  born,  the 
nur.se  jirovidcs  a  cradle  or  wooden  ea.se,  hollowed  and  fashioned  to  receive  the 
intant,  lying  prostrate  on  its  back,  that  part  of  the  case  where  tin;  head  reposes 
being  fashioned  like  a  brick  mould.  In  this  portable  machine  the  little  boy  is 
fixed,  a  bag  of  sand  being  laid  on  his  ftU'chcad.  which  by  continual  gentle  com- 
pression gives  the  head  somewhat  the  form  of  a  brick  from  the  temple  ujiwards; 
and  by  these  means  thiy  have  high  and  lofty  foreheads,  sloping  off  backwards. 
These  men  are  not  so  neat  in  the  trim  of  their  lieads  as  the  Muscogulgcs  are, 
aud  they  are  remarkably  slovenly  and  negligent  in  every  part  of  their  dress,  but 
otherwise  they  are  said  to  be  ingenious,  sensible  aud  virtuous  men  ;  bold  and 
intrepid,  yet  quiet  aud  peaceable,  and  are  acknowledged  by  the  Creeks  to  be 
brave. 

They  are  supposed  to  be  most  ingenious  and  industrious  husbandmen,  liav- 
iug  large  plantations  or  country  farms,  where  they  employ  much  of  their  time 

9 


•i  I! 


•I 


m 


.  r 


I ;  f 


vm 


188 


HISTORICAL    COLLKCTIONfl    OF    I.OCIrtlANA. 


IIo  had  clioMon  a  IkuI  situation  for  liis  fort,  nnd  lio  was  preparing, 
when  h»!  ilied,  to  remove  it  a  loajrue  iiiglier  in  u  very  fine  meadow, 
where  tlio  uir  is  nioro  heultliy,  and  where  tliere  i«  a  village  of  Ya- 

in  ngiicultinal  iniprovt'nu'nts,  after  thu  niannor  of  the  white  peoitlt ;  by  wliich 

means  tlieii'  Icnitiii'ii.'.s  uro  nioi'i!  pncrally  cultivatiMl  ami  licttcr  inliiiliiteil  tliun 
any  otlier  Imlian  ri'imlilie  tlml  wc  know  iif.  'I'lii'  nninlHT  of  tlicir  inhaliitants 
ia  Nuid  greatly  to  exceed  tlie  wliule  AInseo{fnlf,fe  confederacy,  alllioiiKli  their  ter- 
ritiuie.s  are  not  a  funitii  part  as  exleiisive,  It  appeared  to  nie  Ciuni  <»i)servatioM, 
and  wliat  inlcninatiim  i  eunid  ^'et.  tiiat  the  Indians  entertained  rational  notions 
uf  tliu  soul's  iniinortality.  and  of  a  future  state  of  social  existence;  and  accord- 
ingly, in  order  tu  ineiileate  morality,  and  |ironiote  liuman  happiness,  they  ap- 
plaml  praisewortiiy  aetii'ns,  as  eoninu  ndahie  and  necessary  for  the  .support  of 
civil  society,  and  mainlaining  the  (li;j;nity  and  strength  of  their  nation  or  trilie, 
as  securing  an  excellent  and  tramiuil  state  and  di'gree  in  the  world  of  spirits, 
after  their  decease.  And  they  say  the  Great  .Sjtirit  liivors  all  good  and  brave 
men. 

The  Muscogulge  languagi!  is  spoken  throughout  the  confederacy,  (althoiigli 
consisting  of  many  nations,  who  have  a  speech  peenliar  to  tliem.sclves,)  as  also 
by  their  friends  and  allies,  the;  Xatche/,.  Tlie  Cliicka.saw  and  Chactaw,  the 
CreidvS  or  ^luscogulges  say,  are  dialects  of  theirs. 

This  language  is  very  agreeable  to  the  ear,  courteous,  gentle  and  musical: 
tlic  letter  11  is  not  sounded  in  one  word  of  their  laii:;uage  :  the  women  in  par- 
ticular speali  so  line  and  musical,  as  to  represent  the  singing  of  birds ;  and  when 
lieard  and  not  seen,  one  might  imagine  it  to  be  the  iirattling  of  young  children. 
The  mill's  s|peech  is  indeed  more  strong  and  sonorous,  but  not  harsh,  and  in  no 
instance  guttural,  and  1  believe  the  letter  R  is  not  used  to  express  any  word,  in 
any  language  of  the  confederacy. 

The  Cheroliee  tongue,  on  the  contrary,  is  very  loud,  somewhat  harsh,  and 
very  sonorous,  sounding  the  letter  R  frequently,  yet  very  agreeable  and  plea- 
sant to  the  ear.  All  the  Indian  languages  are  truly  rhetorical  or  figiu-ative,  as- 
sisting their  spi-ecli  by  tropes ;  their  hands,  flexure  of  the  head,  the  brow,  in 
short,  every  member,  naturally  associate  and  give  their  assistance  to  render 
their  harangues  elo(iuent,  persuasive  and  eflectual. 

The  pyramidal  hills  or  artilieial  mounds,  and  highways  or  avenues,  leading 
from  them  to  artilieial  lakes  or  jionds,  vast  tetragon  terraces,  chunk  yards, 
(chuidc  yard,  a  term  given  by  the  white  traders,  to  the  oblong  four  scjuaru 
yards,  adjoining  tlie  high  mounds  and  rotundas  of  the  modern  Indians.  In  the 
centre  of  these  stands  the  obelisk,  and  at  each  corner  of  the  farther  end  stands 
a  slave  post  or  strong  stake,  where  the  captives  that  arc  burnt  alive  are  bound), 
and  obelisks  or  jjillars  of  wood,  are  the  only  moiuunents  of  labor,  ingenuity  and 
niagniticence,  that  I  have  seen  worthy  of  notice  or  remark.  The  region  lying 
between  Savannah  river  and  Oaknuilge,  east  and  west,  and  from  the  seacoast  to 
the  Cherokee  or  Apalachian  mountains,  north  and  south,  is  the  most  remark- 
able for  tliese  high  conical  hills,  tetragon  terraces  and  chunk  yards.  This 
region  was  possessed  by  ihe  Cherokees,  since  the  arrival  of  the  Europeans,  but 
they  were  afterwards  dispossessed  by  the  Muscogulges,  and  all  that  country 
was,  probably  many  ages  preceding  the  Cherokee  invasion,  inhabited  by  one 
nation  or  confederacy,  who  were  ruled  by  the  same  system  of  laws,  customs 


leading 
|li  yiuils, 
stiuare 
In  tho 
Id  stands 
I  bound), 
luity  and 
|on  lying 
[icoast  to 
I  remark- 
is.    This 
L'ans,  but 
country 
by  one 
1  customs 


JOURNAL    OF    KATMK.a    fll Ani.KVOIX. 


189 


j'ous,  inixoJ  with  Ciiroas  and  Ofd^rouln.s,  wliich  may  have  Loon  at 
most  two  li\iii(lr(!(l  men  lit  to  boar  arms.  Wu  live  protty  woll  with 
them,  but  do  nut  ]iut  too  mu(di  oonfidoiico   iti  them,  on  account 

and  lane;iia|7(',  but  no  nndcnt  tliat  tho  Cherokcos,  CrtH-ks,  or  tho  nation  they 
coniincrcd.  loiild  rrndrp  no  aocoiuit  for  what  iiiuposu  tlicsc  nionmnt'iit.s  woro 
raised.  Tlio  iiioiimlM  nnd  ciiliical  yanls  adjuiniiii:  tliciii,  .scciu  to  liavc  hruD 
raisiMl  in  \nivt  Cor  oriiiinu'nl  and  icrrration.  and  liUcwisi'  to  serve  some  otlier 
pul)lle  purpose,  wiiico  tliey  are  always  so  sitnated  as  to  enninmnd  the  most  ex- 
tensive prospect  over  the  town  and  country  adjacent.  Tlie  tetragon  terraces 
seem  to  lie  tlic  Ibiiiidatioii  of  a  I'ortrcss;  and  perliiips  tlie  {;reat  |iyraniiilal 
mounts  served  tlie  pnr|io,se  of  look-out  towers  and  liiu:li  places  for  sacriliec.  The 
sunken  area,  called  liy  traders  the  chunk  yard,  very  likely  served  the  sanie  coii- 
venieiicy  tli.it  it  has  liecn  aippro[iriated  to  by  the  more  niod'rn  and  even  pre- 
sent nations  of  Indians,  that  is,  the  place  where  they  burnt  and  otiierwise 
tortured  the  unhappy  ca|)tivcs  that  w<'rc  condenuied  to  ilie;  as  the  area  is  sur- 
roniuh'd  by  a  bank,  and  sonietiines  two  of  tlicni.  one  iieliind  and  above  tho 
other,  as  scats  to  accoinnuidatc  the  s))ecfator.s  at  such  tra;,Mcal  scenes,  us  well 
as  the  exhibition  of  i,^anics,  shows  and  dances.  From  the  river  ISt.  John's, 
arc  to  be  .scon  high  i»yramidal  inimnds,  with  spacious  and  extensive  avcmics, 
loadini,'  from  them  out  of  tlie  town,  to  an  aitilicial  lake  or  pond  of  water; 
tiie.se  are  eviilcntly  desijjned  in  jiart  for  ornanu'nt  or  monuments  of  ma^niill- 
ccncc,  to  i)erpetuatu  the  powi'r  and  grandeur  of  the  nation,  and  not  inccjusider- 
able  neither,  for  they  exhibit  scenes  of  power  and  grandeur,  and  must  have 
been  public  edilices. 

The  great  mounds,  highwa3-s,  and  artillcial  lakes  up  the  St.  John's,  on  tho  east 
shore,  just  at  the  entrance  cf  the  great  Lake  (ieorge,  one  on  the  opposite  shore, 
on  the  bank  of  the  Little  lake,  another  on  Dunn's  Island,  a  little  below  Char- 
lotteville,  one  on  the  largo  beautiful  island  just  without  the  caiies  of  Cape 
George,  in  the  sight  of  Mount  Royal,  and  a  siiacious  one  on  the  banks  of  the 
Moscpiito  river  near  New  iSmyrna,  are  the  most  remarkable  of  this  sort  that 
occurred  to  me;  but  undoubtedly  many  more  are  3et  to  bo  discovered  farther 
south  in  the  peninsula ;  however  I  observed  nujre  westward  after  I  left  St. 
John's  on  my  Journey  to  the  little  St.  John's,  near  the  bay  of  Apalache. 

But  in  all  the  region  of  the  Muscogulgo  country,  southwest  from  the  Oak, 
mulge  river  (juite  to  the  Tallajioosa,  down  to  the  city  of  Mobile,  and  thence 
along  the  sea-coast  to  the  Mississippi,  I  .saw  no  signs  of  mounds  or  highways, 
excejit  at  Taensa,  where  were  several  inconsiderable  conical  mountains  ;  and 
but  one  instance  of  tho  tetragon  terraces,  which  was  at  the  Apalachicola  old 
town,  on  the  west  bank  of  that  river;  here  were  yet  remaining  conspicuous 
monuments,  as  vast  four-square  terraces,  chuidv  yards,  &c.,  almost  diualling 
those  eminent  ones  at  the  Oakmulge  llelds,  but  no  high  conical  mounds.  Those 
Indians  have  a  tradition  that  these  remains  are  the  ruins  of  an  ancient  Indian 
town  and  fortress.  It  was  not  in  the  interior  parts  of  the  Chactaw  territories, 
and  therefore  I  am  ignorant  whether  there  are  any  mounds  or  nninunients  there. 

To  conclude  this  subject  concerning  the  monuments  of  the  Americans,  I 
deem  it  necessary  to  observe  as  my  opinion,  that  none  of  them  that  I  have  seen 
discover  the  least  signs  of  the  arts,  sciences,  or  architecture  of  the  Europeans 
or  other  inhabitants  of  the  old  world,  yet  evidently  betray  every  fc'gn  or  mark 
of  the  most  remote  antiquity. 


;.i'i 


:i! 


''  I 


I  : 


'J  t 


■•'1: 

I;  i 


I 


if 


140 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIOlVD    OF    LOUISIANA. 


of  tlie   connections  which  the  Yasous  have   always  had  with  the 
English. 

There  are  many  caymans  in  this  river,  and  I  saw  two,  which  were 
at  least  from  twelve  to  fifteen  feet  long  Wc  hear  thcra  seldom  but 
in  the  night,  and  their  cry  so  much  resembles  the  bellowing  of  bulls, 
that  it  deceives  one.  Our  French  people  nevertheless  bathe  in  it  as 
freely  as  they  would  in  the  Seine.  As  I  declared  my  surprise  at  it, 
they  replied  that  there  was  no  cause  for  fear;  that  indeed  when  they 
were  in  tlie  water,  they  saw  themselves  almost  always  surrounded 
with  caymans,  but  they  never  came  near  them  ;  that  they  seemed  only 
to  watch  to  seize  them  at  the  moment  of  their  coming  out  of  the  riv- 
er :  and  that  then  to  drive  them  away,  they  stirred  the  water  with  a 
stick,  which  they  had  always  the  precaution  to  carry  with  them,  and 
that  this  made  these  animals  run  away  far  enough  to  give  them  time 
to  get  out  of  danger. 

The  company  has  in  this  post  a  magazine  of  expectation,  as  at  the 
Arkansas  ;  but  the  fort  and  the  land  belong  to  a  society  composed  of 
M.  le  lilanc,  secretary  of  state,  of  M.  le  Compte  de  Belle-Isle,  of  31. 
le  Marquis  d'Asfeld,  and  31.  le  Blond,  brigadier  engineer.  The  last 
is  in  the  colony  with  the  title  of  director  general  of  the  company.  I 
can  see  no  reason  why  they  chose  tlie  river  of  the  Yasous  for  the 
place  of  their  grant.  There  was  certainly  choice  of  better  land,  and 
a  better  situation.  It  is  true,  that  it  is  of  importance  to  secure  this 
river,  the  source  of  which  is  not  far  from  Carolina  ;  but  a  fort  with  a 
good  garrison,  to  keep  under  the  Yasous,  who  are  allies  to  the  Chica- 
chas,  would  be  sufficient  for  that  purpose.  It  is  not  the  way  to  settle 
a  colony  on  a  solid  foundation,  to  be  obliged  always  to  be  on  their 
guard  against  the  savages  who  are  neighbors  of  the  English. 

I  departed  from  the  Yasous  the  10th;  and  on  the  13th,  had  it  not 
been  for  a  Natchc,  who  had  asked  his  pa,ssage  of  me  to  return  home,  I 
would  have  been  lost  in  a  gulf,  which  none  of  my  conductors  knew,  and 
which  one  does  not  discover  till  he  is  so  far  surrounded  by  it  that  it  is 
impossible  to  get  out.  It  is  on  the  left  hand,  at  the  foot  of  a  great 
cape,  where  they  affirm  there  is  a  quarry  of  very  good  stone :  this  is 
what  they  are  most  afraid  of  wanting  in  this  colony ;  but  in  place  of 
it  they  can  make  as  many  brick  as  they  please. 

On  the  15th  we  arrived  at  the  Natchez.*     This  canton,  the  finest, 

*  The  Natchez  Indians  (.says  Fathur  le  Petit,  in  his  account  of  the  la.st 
Natchez  war,)  inhabit  onu  of  the  most  Itcautiful  and  fortilo  countries  in  the 
world,  and  are  the  only  ones  on  tliis  continent  which  ajijjear  to  have  any  regular 
worship.  Their  religion  in  certain  ])oiMts  is  very  similar  to  that  of  the  ancient 
Romans.    They  have  a  temple  lilled  with  idols,  which  are  diflereut  figures  of 


1  finest, 


regular 

ancient 

iures  of 


JOURNAL    OF    FATHER    CHARLEVOIX. 


141 


the  most  fertile,  and  the  most  populous  of  all  Louisiana,  is  forty 
leagues  distant  from  the  Yasous,  and  on  the  same  hand.  Tlie  land- 
ing place  is  over  against  a  pretty  high  hill,  and  very  steep ;  at  the 

men  and  animals,  and  for  which  they  have  the  most  pivifotind  veneration. 
Their  temple  in  shape  resemhles  iiTi  earthen  oven,  a  humlred  leet  in  circiinifer- 
cnee.  They  enter  it  hy  a  little  door  about  four  feet  liiirh,  and  not  more  tlian 
three  in  l)readth.  No  window  is  to  he  .seen  there.  The  areiicd  roof  of  the  edi- 
fice i.s  covered  with  three  rows  of  mats,  placed  one  upon  tin'  otlier.  to  prevent 
the  rain  from  injuring  the  masonry.  Above,  on  the  outside,  are  three  lij^qires 
of  eagles  made  of  wood,  and  painted  red.  yellow,  and  white.  Before  the  door 
is  a  kind  of  shed  witli  fohliiig  doors,  where  the  Guardian  of  the  Teiiii)le  is 
lodged ;  all  around  it  runs  a  circle  of  palisades,  on  which  are  seen  exi>osed  the 
skulls  of  all  the  heads  wliich  their  warriors  liad  brought  I)!U'k  fnmi  the  battles 
in  which  they  had  been  engaged  with  the  enemies  of  their  nation. 

In  tiie  interior  of  the  Temple  are  some  sliel  ves  arranged  at  a  certain  distance 
from  each  other,  on  which  are  placed  cane  baskets  of  an  oval  shape,  and  in 
these  are  inclosed  the  bones  of  their  ancient  chiefs,  while  by  tjieir  side  are 
those  of  their  victims  whom  they  had  cau.^ed  to  be  strangled,  to  follow  their 
masters  into  the  other  world.  Another  sejiarate  shelf  supports  many  tiat  bas- 
kets very  gorgeously  painted,  in  whicli  tliey  preserve  tlieir  idols.  These  are 
figures  of  men  and  women  made  of  stone  or  baked  clay,  the  lieads  and  tiie  tails 
of  e.Ktraordinary  serpents,  some  stuffed  owls,  some  pieces  of  crystal,  and  some 
jaw-bones  of  large  fish.  In  the  year  ir,<)!).  tliey  had  there  a  bottle  and  the  foot 
of  a  .glass,  which  they  guarded  as  very  precious. 

In  this  temple  they  take  care  to  keep  uj)  a  iier[)etual  fire,  and  they  are  very 
particular  to  prevent  its  ever  blazing;  they  do  not  use  any  thing  for  it  but  dry 
wood  of  the  walnut  or  oak.  The  old  men  are  obliged  to  carry,  each  one  in  his 
turn,  a  large  log  of  wood  into  tlie  inclosure  of  the  juilisade.  The  number  of 
the  Guardians  of  the  Tenijile  is  fixed,  and  they  serve  by  the  ((uarter.  He  who 
is  on  duty  is  placed  like  a  sentinel  under  the  shed,  from  wlieiiee  he  examines 
whether  the  fire  is  not  in  danger  of  going  out.  He  feeds  it  with  two  or  three 
large  logs,  which  do  not  burn  exceiit  at  the  extreniily  and  which  they  never 
place  one  on  the  other,  for  fear  of  their  getliiig  into  a  blaze. 

Of  the  women,  the  sisters  of  the  great  chief  alone  have  liberty  to  enter  with- 
in the  temple.  The  entrance  is  forbidden  to  all  the  others,  as  well  as  to  the 
common  people,  even  wlien  tliev  carry  sninetiiing  there  to  feast  to  the  memory 
of  their  relations,  whose  boiuis  repose  in  tlie  temple.  'I'lirv  uive  the  dishes  to 
the  guardian,  who  carries  them  to  the  side  of  the  basket  in  wliich  are  bones  of 
the  dead;  this  ceremony  lasts  only  during  one  moon.  The  dislies  are  after- 
wards placed  on  the  palisades  which  surround  tin;  temple,  and  are  abandoned 
to  the  fallow-deer. 

The  sun  is  the  principal  object  of  veneration  to  thesis  people;  as  they  can- 
not conceive  of  anything  wliich  can  bo  above  this  heavenly  body,  nothing  else 
apiiears  to  them  more  worthy  of  their  liomage.  It  is  for  the  same  riMson  that 
the  great  chief  of  this  nation,  who  knows  nothing  on  the  earth  more  digiiilied 
than  himself,  takes  the  title  of  brother  of  the  sun,  and  the  credulity  of  the  jieo- 
ple  maintains  him  in  the  despotic  anthority  which  he  claims.  To  enable  them 
better  to  converse  together,  they  raise  a  mound  uf  artificial  soil,  on  which  they 


•f  !' . 


ii; 


.^1 


, 


(i 


■I  ir«rw 


k 


'  i'  ' 


iiiir 


:!   r 


r 


I  ii 


11  ; 


iiii' 


142 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


foot  of  which  runs  a  little  brook,  tliat  can  receive  only  boats  and 
pettiaugrcs.  From  this  first  hill  we  ascend  a  second  smaller  one, 
at  the  top  of  which  they  have  built  a  kind  of  redoubt,  inclosed  with 

build  his  cabin,  Avhich  is  of  the  sanio  construction  as  tlie  temple.  The  door 
fronts  the  east,  and  every  morning  the  i^reat  chief  honors  by  his  pn-sence  the 
rising  of  liis  elder  brother,  and  sahites  him  witli  many  houlin^s  as  soon  as  he 
api)ears  above  the  horizon.  Then  he  s'ives  orders  that  they  sliall  lifrlit  his  cal- 
umet;  he  makes  liim  an  olferinj!;  of  tlic  lirst  tliree  piitls  which  he  draws;  after- 
wards raising  his  hands  above  his  head,  and  turning  from  the  east  to  the  west, 
he  shows  him  the  direction  which  he  must  take  in  his  course. 

There  are  in  tins  cabin  a  number  of  beds  on  the  left  hand  at  entering,  but 
on  the  riglit  is  only  the  bed  of  the  great  chief  ornamented  with  dilferent  i)ainted 
figures.  This  bed  consists  of  nothing  but  a  mattress  of  canes  and  reeds,  very 
hard,  with  a  .s(juare  log  of  wood,  which  serves  for  a  i^illow.  Iti  tiie  middle  of 
the  cabin  is  seen  a  small  stone,  smd  no  one  should  api)i-oiic)i  the  bed  until  he 
has  made  the  circuit  of  this  stone.  Those  wlio  enter  salute  by  a  howl,  and  ad- 
vance even  to  the  bottom  of  the  cabin,  without  looking  at  the  right  side,  where 
is  the  chief  Tiien  they  give  a  new  salute  by  raising  their  arms  above  the  head, 
and  howling  three  times.  If  it  be  any  one  ^vhom  the  cliief  lioliis  in  considera- 
tion, he  answer's  by  a  slight  sigh  and  makes  a  sign  to  him  to  be  seated. 
He  thanks  him  for  his  po'iteness  by  a  new  liowl.  At  every  question  which  the 
chief  jjuts  to  him,  he  howls  once  before  ho  answers,  and  when  he  takes  his 
leave,  he  prolongs  a  single  howl  until  he  is  out  of  his  j)resence. 

Wlien  the  great  chief  dies,  they  demolish  his  cabin,  and  then  rrJse  a  new 
mound,  on  which  they  build  the  cabin  of  liim  who  is  to  rejjlace  him  in  this  dig- 
nity, for  he  never  lodges  in  that  of  his  predecessor.  The  old  m(;n  [)rescribe  the 
laws  for  the  rest  of  the  people,  and  one  of  their  princii)li!S  is,  to  have  a  sovereign 
rcsitect  for  the  great  chief  as  being  the  brother  of  the  sun,  and  the  master  of 
the  temple.  Tliey  believe  in  the  immortality  of  tlie  soul,  and  when  they  leave 
this  world  they  go,  tlie>'  say,  to  live  in  anotlier.  tlnn'e  to  be  recompensed  or 
punislied.  The  rewards  to  wlrcb  they  lock  forward,  consist  principally  in 
feasting,  and  their  chastisi-ment  in  the  ])rivation  of  every  pleasiu'e.  Thus  they 
think  that  those  who  have  been  the  faithful  observers  of  their  laws  will  be  con- 
ducted into  a  region  of  ]»lea  ures.  where  all  kinds  of  ex(iuisite  viands  will  be 
furnished  them  in  abundance,  that  their  <lelightful  and  tran(iuil  days  will  tlow 
on  in  the  midst  of  festivals,  dances,  and  wonu'u;  in  short,  that  they  will  revej 
ill  all  iiniijrinable  pleasure.  On  the  contrary,  the  violators  of  their  laws  will  be 
cast  upon  lands  unfruitful  :ind  entirely  covered  with  water,  where  they  will  not 
have  any  kind  of  corn,  but  will  be  expoced  entirely  naked  to  the  sharji  bites  of 
the  nnisijuitoes,  that  all  nations  will  niMke  w:ir  U))on  them,  that  they  will  never 
eat  meat,  and  have  no  nourishment  but  the  llesh  of  crocodiles,  spoiled  tish,  and 
shell- lish. 

These  i)eople  blindly  obey  the  least  wish  of  their  gre.it  chief.  They  look 
upon  him  as  absolute  niiister,  not  only  of  their  propeiiy  but  also  of  their  lives> 
and  not  one  of  them  would  dare  to  refuse  him  his  head,  if  he  shoulil  demand 
it;  for  whatever  labors  he  conmiands  them  to  execute,  they  are  forbidden  to 
exact  any  wages.  The  Fri'iich.  who  are  often  in  need  of  hunters  or  of  rowers 
for  their  long  voyages,  never  apply  to  any  one  but  the  great  chief    He  fur- 


ill 


JOURNAL  OF  FATHER  CHARLEVOIX, 


143 


a  single  palisade.  They  have  given  this  intrenchment  the  name  of  a 
fort. 

Several  little  hills  rise  above  this  hill,  and  when  we  have  passed 

nislics  all  the  men  tlicy  wish,  and  receives  payment,  witlioiit  giviiifj  any  part  to 
those  unfortunate  individuals,  who  are  not  jierniitted  even  to  ooinplain.  One 
of  the  i)rincii)al  articles  of  tlieir  religion,  and  partieuliirly  for  the  servants  of 
the  great  chief,  is  that  of  honoring  his  funeral  rites  liy  dying  with  him,  that 
they  may  go  and  serve  him  in  the  other  world.  In  their  lilindness  they  wil- 
lingly suhmit  to  this  law,  in  the  foolish  helief,  that  in  the  train  of  their  chief 
they  will  go  to  enjoy  the  greatest  happiness. 

To  give  an  idea  of  this  hloody  ceremony,  it  is  necessary  to  know  that  as 
soon  as  an  heir  presumjttive  has  been  born  to  the  great  cliief  each  family  that 
has  an  infant  at  the  breast  is  obliged  to  jiuy  him  homage.  From  all  these  in- 
fants they  choose  a  certain  number  whom  they  destine  for  the  service  of  the 
young  prince,  and  as  soon  as  tliey  are  of  a  comi)etent  age,  they  furnish  tlu'ra 
with  em])loyments  suited  to  their  talents.  Some  pass  their  lives  in  hunting,  or 
in  fishing,  to  furnish  supplies  for  the  table  ;  others  are  emi)loyed  in  agriculture, 
while  others  servo  to  fill  up  his  retinue.  If  he  hnnnens  to  die,  all  these  servants 
sacrifice  themselves  with  joy,  to  follow  their  dear  master.  They  first  put  on  all 
their  finery,  and  repair  to  the  ])laee  oi)^)osite  to  the  temple,  where  all  the  peo- 
ple are  assembled.  After  having  danced  and  sung  a  sulficiently  long  time,  they 
pass  around  their  neck  a  cord  of  buffalo  hair  with  a  running  knot,  and  imme- 
diately the  ministers  ap])ointed  for  executions  of  this  kind,  come  forwanl  to 
strangle  them,  recommending  them  to  go  and  rejoin  their  master,  and  to  nnder 
to  him  in  the  other  world  services  even  more  honorable  than  tliose  which  had 
occui)ied  them  in  this. 

The  ])rincipal  servants  of  the  great  chief  having  been  strangled  in  this  way, 
they  strip  the  flesh  otf  their  bones,  particularly  those  of  their  arms  and  thighs, 
and  leave  them  to  dry  for  two  months  in  a  kiml  of  tomb,  after  whi(;h  they  take 
them  out  to  be  shut  uj)  in  the  baskets,  which  are  i)laced  in  the  temple  by  the 
side  of  the  bones  of  tlieir  master.  As  for  the  other  servants,  their  relatives 
carry  them  home  with  them,  and  bury  them  with  their  arms  and  clothes. 

The  same  ceremony  is  observi'd  in  like  manner  on  the  death  of  the  brothers 
and  sisters  of  the  great  chi^'f  The  women  are  always  strangled  to  follow  the 
latter.  e.\cei)t  when  they  have  infants  at  tlu;  breast,  in  wliich  case  they  con- 
tinue to  live,  for  the  purpose  of  nourishing  them,  An<l  we  often  sec  many  who 
endeavor  to  find  nurses,  or  who  themselves  strangle  their  infants,  so  thi'l  they 
shall  not  lose  the  right  of  sacrificing  themst'lvcs  in  the  i>nblie  i)lace,  according 
to  the  ordinary  ceremonies,  and  as  the  law  prescribes, 

Tlieir  irovermnent  is  hereditary;  it  is  not.  howevi'r,  tin;  son  of  the  reigning 
chief  that  succeeds  his  father,  but  the  son  of  his  sister,  or  the  first  ])rincess  of 
the  blood.  This  jiolicy  is  founded  on  the  knowledge  they  have  of  the  licen- 
tiousness of  their  females.  They  are  not  sure,  they  say,  that  the  cliildrcn  of 
tlu!  chief's  wife  may  be  of  the  royal  blood,  whereas  the  son  of  the  sister  of  the 
great  chief  must  be,  at  least  on  the  side  of  the  mother. 

The  iiriucesses  of  the  blood  never  espouse  any  but  men  of  obscure  family, 
and  they  have  but  one  husband,  but  they  have  the  right  of  disinissing  him 
whenever  it  pleases  them,  and  of  choosing  another  among  thos:j  of  the  nation, 


H 


i  I 


muA 


:( 


144 


HISTORICAL    COLLKCTION3    OF    LOUISIANA. 


them,  we  see  on  every  side  great  meadows,  divided  by  little  clumps 
of  treed,  which  have  a  very  fine  effect.  The  trees  moat  common  in 
these  woods  are  the  walnut  and  the  oak ;  and  everywhere  the  lauds  are 

providod  lie  has  not  inado  any  otlior  alliance  among  tlieni.  If  the  husband  has 
been  guiltj-  of  inlidelity.  the  piiiice^s  may  have  his  head  cut  olF  in  an  instant; 
but  she  is  not  herself  subject  to  the  same  law,  for  she  may  have  as  many  lovers 
as  she  j)leases,  without  the  husband  having  any  power  to  conii)lain.  In  the 
presence  of  his  wife  he  acts  with  the  most  profound  respect,  never  cats  with 
her,  and  salutes  her  with  howls,  as  is  done  by  her  servants.  The  only  satisfiic- 
tion  he  has  is,  that  he  is  freed  from  the  necessity  of  laboring,  and  has  entire 
authority  over  those  who  serve  the  jirincess. 

In  former  times  the  nati(ju  ol'  the  Natchez  was  very  lai'ge.  It  counted  sixty 
villages  and  eight  himdred  suns  or  j)rinees  ;  now  it  is  reduced  to  six  little  vil- 
lages and  eleven  suns.  In  each  of  these  villages  there  is  a  temple  where  the 
firo  is  always  kept  burning  as  in  that  of  the  great  chief,  whom  all  the  other 
chiefs  obey. 

The  great  chief  nominates  to  the  most  important  ofTiccs  of  the  state ;  such 
are  the  two  war  chiefs,  the  two  masters  of  ceremony  for  the  worshiji  of  the 
temple,  the  two  ollieers  who  jireside  over  the  other  ceremonies  which  are  ob- 
senx'd  when  foreigners  come  to  treat  of  peace,  another  who  has  the  inspectiou 
of  the  jiublic  works,  four  others  charged  with  the  arrangement  of  the  festivals 
with  which  they  publicly  entertain  tlie  nation,  and  sucli  strangers  as  come  to 
visit  them.  All  these  n/misters  wlio  execute  the  will  of  the  great  chief  arc 
treated  with  the  same  respect  and  obedience  as  if  he  [lersonally  gavi'  the  orders. 

Each  year  the  peo[ilc!  assemble  to  plant  one  vast  fiidd  witli  Indian  corn, 
beans,  pumi)kins,  and  melons,  ami  then  again  they  collect  in  the  same  way  to 
gather  the  harvest.  A  large  cabin  situated  on  a  beautiful  prairie  issetajiart  to 
hold  the  fruits  of  this  harvest.  Once  in  the  snnuner,  towards  the  end  of  July, 
the  peo[)le  gather  by  order  of  the  'p'eat  chief,  to  be  jiresent  at  a  grand  feast 
which  he  gives  them.  This  festival  lasts  for  three  days  and  three  nights,  and 
each  one  contributes  wliat  he  can  to  furnisii  it ;  some  liring  game,  others  lish, 
&c.  They  have  almost  constant  dances,  while  the  great  chief  and  his  sister 
are  in  an  elevated  lodge  covered  with  boughs,  from  whence  they  can  see  the 
joy  of  their  subjects.  The  princes,  the  |)riiicesses,  and  those  who  by  their  oflice 
are  of  distinguished  rank,  are  arranged  very  near  the  chief,  to  whom  they 
show  their  respect  and  submission  by  an  infmite  variety  of  ceremonies. 

The  great  chief  and  his  sister  make  their  entrance  in  the  jilaee  of  the  as- 
sembly on  a  litter  borne  by  eight  of  their  greatest  men  :  the  chief  holds  in  his 
hand  a  great  sceptre  ornamented  with  painted  plumes,  and  all  the  peoi)Ie  dance 
and  sing  about  him  in  testimony  of  the  public  joy.  The  last  day  of  this  feast 
be  cause's  all  his  subjects  to  approach,  and  makes  them  a  long  harangue,  in 
which  he  exhorts  them  to  fullil  all  their  duties  to  religion;  he  recommends 
them  above  all  things  to  have  a  great  veneration  for  the  siiirifs  which  reside  in 
the  temple,  and  carefully  to  instruct  their  chililren.  If  any  one  has  distin- 
guished himself  by  some  act  of  zeal,  he  is  tlieii  i)ublicly  praised.  Such  a  ease 
hap[)ene(l  in  the  year  170:2.  The  temple  having  been  stnu'k  with  lightning  and 
reduced  to  ashes,  seven  or  eight  women  cast  their  inlants  into  the  midst  of  the 
flames  to  appease  the  wrath  of  Ileaveu.    The  chief  called  these  heroines,  and 


■• 


lli^i 


lie  as- 
ill  liis 
'  (lance 
I'cast 
iR',  in 
iiu'iids 
■viilo  in 
ilistin- 
a  case 
ig  and 
tf  tlio 
and 


JOURNAL  OF  FATHER  CHARLEVOIX. 


145 


excellent.  The  late  M.  d'Ibcrville,  who  was  the  first  that  entered 
the  Mississippi  by  its  mouth,  being  come  as  high  as  the  Nutchczi 
found  this  country  so  charming,  and  so  advantageously  situated,  that 

gave  them  groat  jjraises  for  the  conrage  with  which  thoy  had  made  the  sacri- 
fice of  tliat  which  they  held  most  dear;  he  (iiiislied  his  panegyiie  \>y  exhorting 
the  ofhi'r  women  to  imitate  so  beantifnl  an  cxann)Ie  in  similar  eireiimstanccs. 
The  fathers  of  families  do  nut  fail  to  carry  to  the  temple  the  tfrst  of  their 
frnits.  their  corn  and  vegetables.  It  is  the  same  even  with  presents  which  arc 
mad(!  to  their  nation  ;  they  are  immediately  ollired  at  the  gate  of  the  temple, 
when  the  Guardian,  after  having  displayi-d  and  jiresented  them  to  tlie  s])irit.s, 
carries  them  to  the  honse  of  the  great  chief  who  makes  a  distrihntion  of  them 
as  he  judges  best,  witliout  any  person  testifying  tlie  least  discontent. 

They  never  plant  tlieir  lields  without  having  first  presented  the  seed  in  tho 
tenii)le  with  tlie  accustomed  ceremonies.  As  soon  as  these  peojile  ai)proac]i 
the  temi)le,  they  raise  tliuir  arms  by  way  of  respect,  and  utter  thrcr  liowls, 
after  which  they  place  their  hands  on  the  earth,  and  raise  thamselvcs  again 
three  times  with  as  many  reiterated  howls.  Wlien  any  one  lias  merely  to  pass 
before  the  ti-iiiple,  lie  only  pauses  to  salute  it  by  liis  downcast  eyes  and  raised 
arms.  If  a  father  or  mother  see  their  son  fail  in  the  jierformance  of  this  cere- 
mony, they  will  [)unis]i  him  with  rejieated  blows  of  a  stick. 

Such  are  the  ceremonies  .)f  tlm  Natehi'Z  Indians  with  regard  to  their  n-ligion. 
Those  of  marriage  are  very  simple.  When  a  young  man  thinks  of  marrying, 
he  has  only  to  address  himself  to  the  father  of  the  girl,  or  if  she  have  none,  to 
her  eldest  brother,  and  tliey  agree  on  the  price,  which  he  jiays  in  skins  or  mer- 
chandise. When  a  girl  lias  even  lived  a  licentious  life,  they  make  no  dilliculty 
iu  receiving  her,  if  there  is  the  least  idea  that  she  will  change  her  conduct  when 
she  is  married.  iVeitlier  do  they  trouble  themselves  as  to  what  family  she  be- 
longs, provided  that  she  pleases  them.  As  to  the  relatives  of  the  girl,  their 
only  care  is  to  inform  themselves  whether  he  wlio  asks  h.'--  i:'  an  able  hunter,  a 
good  warrior,  and  an  excellent  workman.  These  (qualities  diminish  the  price 
which  they  have  a  right  to  ask  on  the  marriage. 

When  the  parties  have  agreed,  the  future  husband  goes  to  the  chase  with 
his  friends,  and  when  he  has  suftieient  (.'itlier  of  game  or  of  fish,  to  feast  the 
two  families  who  have  contracted  the  alliance,  they  assemble  at  the  house  of 
the  parents  of  the  girl.  They  particularly  serve  the  new  married  jiair.  who 
eat  from  the  same  dish.  Tlie  repast  being  ended,  the  bridegroom  smokes  tho 
calumet  towards  the  parents  of  his  wife,  and  then  towards  his  own  jiarents, 
after  which  all  the  giiests  retire.  Tlie  new  marriefl  people  remain  together 
until  tlu?  next  day,  and  then  the  husband  conducts  his  wife  to  the  residence  of 
her  father-in-law,  where  they  live  until  the  family  has  built  for  him  a  cabin  of 
his  own.  While  they  are  constructing  it.  he  passes  tin;  whole  day  in  tlie  chase 
to  furnish  food,  which  he  gives  to  those  who  an;  eiiiiiloyed  in  this  work. 

The  laws  permit  the  Natchez  to  have  as  many  wives  as  they  choose,  never- 
theless the  common  pi'ople  generally  have  but  one  or  two.  This,  however,  is 
not  the  case  with  the  chiefs ;  their  number  is  greater,  because,  having  the  right 
to  oblige  the  people  to  cultivate  thi'ir  lields,  without  giving  them  any  wages, 
the  number  of  their  wives  is  no  expense  to  tlieni. 

The  marriage  of  the  chiefs  is  made  with  less  ceremony.     They  content 


*      f 


H' 


.■ :! 


}^i! 


146 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OP    LOUISIANA. 


be  thought  he  could  find  no  better  situation  for  the  metropolis  of  the 
new  colony.  He  traced  out  the  plan  of  it,  and  intended  to  call  it 
Rosalii!,  which   was  the  name  of  Madam,   Ic  Duchesso    do   Pont- 

thomsclvcs  witli  soiidiiig  to  fotch  tlio  father  of  the  girl  whom  they  wish  to  es- 
pouse, iui<l  till'}'  (Icclnri!  to  liim  that  they  will  gl\'e  her  the  rank  of  their  wives. 
Tlu'y  <lo  not  fail  liowever,  as  soon  as  the  niiirriiige  is  consunniiated,  to  make  a 
present  to  Wie  father  and  mother.  Although  they  have  many  wives,  they  keep 
but  one  or  t\v(j  in  their  tiwn  cabins:  the  rest  remain  at  the  houses  of  their 
parents,  where  they  go  to  see  them  wIkmi  they  wish. 

At  certain  periods  of  tlie  nmon  tliese  Indians  never  live  with  their  wives. 
Jealousy  has  so  little  place  in  their  hearts,  that  many  find  no  diflieulty  in  lend- 
ing Ihi'ir  w  iv(;s  to  their  friends.  This  inditference  in  the  conjugal  union  results 
from  the  iilierty  they  have  of  changing  when  it  seems  good  to  them,  jtrovided 
howe\-er  that  their  wives  liave  never  borne  children  to  them,  for  if  any  have 
been  born  of  the  marriage,  nothing  but  death  can  separate  them. 

When  this  nation  sends  out  a  detachment  to  war,  the  chief  of  the  party 
erects  two  kinds  of  poles,  painted  red  from  the  top  to  the  bottom,  ornamented 
with  red  i)lumes,  and  arnnvs  and  tomahawks,  also  painted  red.  Thes<i  i)ole3 
are  pointed  to  the  side  to  which  they  are  to  carry  the  war.  Those  who  wish  to 
join  the  party,  after  having  ornamented  and  daubed  themselves  with  different 
colors,  eonie  to  harangue  the  war  chief  This  harangue,  which  one  makes  after 
the  other,  and  which  lasts  nearly  lialf  an  hour,  consists  of  a  thousand  i)rotes- 
tatioiis  of  service,  by  which  they  assure  him  that  they  a.sk  nothing  more  than 
to  die  with  him,  that  they  are  charmed  to  learn  of  so  able  a  warrior  the  art  of 
taking  scalps,  and  that  they  fear  neither  tho  hunger  nor  fatigues  to  which  they 
are  going  to  be  exposed. 

Win  n  a  sufiicii/nt  number  of  braves  have  presented  themselves  to  the  war 
chief,  he  causes  to  be  made  at  liis  house  a  beverage  which  they  call  the  War 
Medieine.  This  is  an  emetic,  which  they  make  from  a  root  they  boil  in  large 
kettles  of  water.  The  warriors,  sometimes  to  the  number  of  three  hundred, 
having  seated  themselves  about  the  kettle,  they  serve  each  one  with  two  jiots 
of  it.  The  ceremony  is  to  swallow  them  with  a  single  effort,  and  tiien  to  throw 
them  up  immediately  by  the  mouth,  with  efforts  so  violent  that  they  can  bo 
heard  at  a  great  distanc<'. 

After  this  ceremony,  the  war  chief  appoints  the  day  of  departure,  that  each 
one  may  prepiire  jjrovisinns  necessary  lor  the  campaign.  ])uring  tliis  time,  the 
braves  repair  evening  and  morning  to  the  place  before  the  tenii)le,  where,  after 
having  danced  and  related  in  detail  the  brilliant  actions  in  which  their  bravery 
was  conspicuous,  they  chant  their  death  songs. 

To  see  the  extreme  joy  they  show  at  their  departure,  wo  should  say  that 
they  had  already  signali/.ed  their  valor  by  some  great  victory,  but  a  very  small 
thing  alone  is  necessary  to  disconcert  their  plans.  They  are  so  sui)erstiliou3 
with  resjjcct  to  dreams,  that  a  single  one  of  evil  augury  can  arrest  the  execution 
of  their  enter|)rise,  and  oblige  them  to  return  when  they  are  on  the  march.  We 
see  ]>arties,  which  after  having  gone  through  with  all  the  ceremonies  I  have 
mentioned,  immediately  break  off  from  their  expedition,  because  they  have 
heard  a  dog  bark  in  an  extraordinary  manner;  in  an  instant  their  ardor  for 
glory  is  changed  into  a  perfect  panic. 


[ 


is  of  the 
0  call  it 
0   Pont- 

,isli  to  cs- 
luir  wives, 
to  make  a 
tliey  keep 
;s  of  their 

cir  wives, 
ty  in  lend- 
ion  results 
,  ]>i()vi(led 
f  any  have 

tlio  party 
rnanu'uted 
hes(^  poles 
,iio  wish  to 
h  (litlbrent 
uakes  after 
md  i)votes- 

more  than 
ir  the  art  of 
which  they 

to  the  war 
ill  the  War 
ill  in  large 
hundred, 
1  two  jiots 
;n  to  throw 
hey  can  bo 

that  each 
is  time,  the 
vluTo,  after 
jir  bravery 

d  say  that 
very  small 
uperstitious 
le  execution 
march.  We 
uies  I  have 
they  have 
ir  ardor  for 


JOURNAL    OF    FATIIRR    CIIAULEVOIX. 


147 


cbatrain.  But  this  project  is  not  likely  to  be  soon  executed,  though 
our  geographers  have  always  roundly  set  down  in  their  maps,  the 
town  of  llosalie  at  the  Natchez. 


When  on  the  war-path,  they  march  in  sinii;le  file  :  four  or  five  men  who  are 
the  best  walkers  lead  the  way,  and  keep  in  iidvance  of  the  army  a  ijuarter  of  a 
league,  to  observe  every  thing,  and  give  iinmciliate  notice.  They  I'licani])  every 
evening  an  hour  before  sunset,  and  lie  down  about  a  large  fire,  eaeli  one  witli 
his  arms  near  him.  Before  they  encamp,  they  take  the  precaution  to  send  out 
twenty  warriors  to  the  distance  of  a  half  league-  around  the  cami>.  for  the  pur- 
pose of  avoiding  all  suri>rise.  Tiu-y  never  post  sentinids  during  the  niglit,  but 
as  soon  as  they  have  su|)in'd,  they  extinguish  all  tlie  fires.  At  night  the  war 
chief  exhorts  them  not  to  give  themselves  up  to  a  profound  sleep,  and  to  keep 
their  arms  always  in  a  state  of  readiness.  He  ajjpoints  a  plac:  where  they 
shall  rally  in  case  they  are  attaeked  during  the  night  and  put  to  (light. 

As  tlie  war  chiefs  always  carry  with  them  their  idols,  or  what  tliey  call  their 
Spirits,  well  secured  in  some  skins,  at  night  they  suspend  them  from  a  small 
I)ole  i)ainted  red.  which  they  erect  in  a  .slanting  position,  so  that  it  may  be  bent 
on  the  side  towards  the  enemy.  The  warriors,  before  tliey  go  to  sloep.  with 
tomahawlv  in  hand,  })ass  one  after  the  other  in  a  dance  before  these  jjretended 
Spirits,  at  the  same  time  uttering  the  fiercest  threats  towards  the  side  on  which 
are  their  enemies. 

Wlien  the  war  party  is  considerable,  as  it  enters  the  enemy's  conntry  they 

march  in  five  or  six  columns.  They  have  many  s))ies,  who  go  out  on  scouting 
ex])editions.  If  they  jjereeive  that  their  march  is  known,  they  ordinarily  adoj)! 
the  resolution  of  retracing  their  steps,  leaving  a  small  troop  of  from  ten  to 
twenty  men,  who  detach  themselves,  and  endeavor  to  surprise  some  hundri'd  at 
a  distance  from  the  villages  ;  on  their  return  they  chant  their  songs  w'th  refer- 
ence to  the  scalps  they  have  taken.  If  they  have  taken  any  i)risoners,  they 
force  them  to  sing  and  dance  for  some  days  before  the  tt-mple,  after  whith  they 
present  them  to  tlie  relatives  of  those  wlu)  have  been  killed.  These  relativcis 
are  dissolved  in  tears  during  this  ceremony,  and  drying  their  eyes  with  the 
scalps  whieh  have  been  taken,  they  contribute  among  themselves  to  recompense 
the  warriors  who  have  taken  these  captives,  whose  lot  is  to  be  burned. 

The  Natchez,  like  all  the  other  nations  of  Louisiana,  distinguish  bj-  particu- 
lar names  thosi-  who  have  killed  a  greater  or  less  numbi'r  of  the  enemy.  The 
old  war  chiefs  distribute  thesi'  names  according  to  the  nu'rit  of  the  warriors. 
To  deserve  the  title  of  a  great  mi'u-slayer,  it  is  necessary  to  have  taken  ten 
slaves  or  to  have  taken  off  twenty  sealps.  When  a  jierson  understands  their 
language,  the  name  of  a  warrior  enables  him  to  learn  all  his  exploits.  Those 
who,  for  the  first  time,  have  taken  a  scalp  or  made  a  cai)tivc,  do  not  sleep  at 
their  return  with  their  wives,  and  do  not  eat  any  mi'at ;  they  ought  not  to  jiar- 
take  of  any  thing  but  fish  and  thickened  milk.  This  abstinence  lasts  for  si.x 
months.  If  they  fail  to  observe  it,  they  imagine  that  the  soul  of  hinr  whom 
they  have  killed  will  cause  them  to  die  through  sorcery,  that  they  will  never 
again  obtain  any  advantage  over  their  enemies,  and  that  the  sliglitest  wounds 
they  may  receive  will  prove  fatal. 

Tlii'y  take  extreme  care  that  the  great  chief  shall  not  in  any  way  expose 
his  life  when  be  goes  to  war.    If,  carried  away  by  his  valor,  he  should  happen 


i> 


i    i 

i, 

j 

.1   .    ' 

m 

.  t 

'       I; 


:i 


I-  !  . 


mi 


■"I  I 


J' 


.ism 


148 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIOXS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


It  is  certain  that  wo  must  begin  by  a  settlement  nearer  tbe  sea ; 
but  if  Louisiana  ever  becomes  a  flourishing  eolony,  as  may  very  well 
happen,  I  am  of  opinion  that  they  cannot  find  a  better  situation  for 


Tt. 


:il||l! 


' 

1 

1 

i 

1 

( 

1 

k 

!■■'! 

to  1)0  killed,  the  chiefs  of  tlio  jjarty  and  tlio  otlior  jjrincipal  warriors  would* bo 
put  to  dwith  on  tliuir  R'tiini ;  but  executions  of  this  kind  nro  almost  without 
example,  on  account  of  tlio  precautions  they  take  to  preserve  liim  from  this 
evil. 

This  nation,  like  tlie  others,  has  its  nuMlieine men ;  these  are  frenerally  old 
men.  who,  without  study  or  any  seieuco  undertake  to  cure  all  complaints.  They 
do  not  attempt  this  by  simidcs,  orbydrujjs;  all  their  art  consists  in  ditlerent 
jugy:lerios  ;  that  is  to  say,  tliat  they  dance  and  sing  night  and  day  about  the 
sick  man,  and  smoke  without  ceasing,  swallowing  the  smoke  of  the  tobacco. 
These  jugglers  eat  scarcely  any  thing  during  all  the  time  that  they  are  engaged 
in  the  cure  of  the  sick,  but  their  chants  anil  their  dances  are  accomi)anied  by 
contortions  so  violent,  that  although  they  are  entirely  naked  and  should  natu- 
rally sutler  from  cold,  yet  they  are  always  foaming  at  the  mouth.  They  have  a 
little  basket  in  which  they  keep  what  they  call  their  Si)irits,  that  is  to  say, 
small  roots  of  dilferent  kinds,  heads  of  owls,  small  [larei^ls  of  the  liair  of  fallow 
deer,  some  teeth  of  animals,  some  small  stones  or  pebbles,  and  other  similar 
trifles. 

It  appears  that  to  restore  health  to  the  sick,  they  invoke  without  ceasing 
that  which  they  have  in  their  basket.  Some  of  them  have  there  a  certain  root, 
which  by  its  .smell  can  put  serpents  to  sleep  and  render  them  harndess.  After 
having  rubbed  their  hands  and  body  with  this  root,  they  take  hold  of  these 
reptiles  without  fearing  their  bite,  which  is  mortal.  Sometimes  they  cut  with 
a  nint  iho  part  atllicted  with  the  malady,  and  then  suck  out  all  the  blood  they 
can  draw  from  it,  and  in  returning  it  immediately  into  a  dish,  they  at  the  same 
time  spit  out  a  little  piece  of  wood,  or  straw,  or  leather,  which  they  have  con- 
cealed under  the  tongue.  Drawing  to  it  the  attention  of  the  relatives  of  the 
sick  man,  '•  There,"  say  they,  '■  is  the  cause  of  the  sickness."  These  medicine- 
men are  always  ])aid  in  advance.  If  the  sick  man  recovers,  thiur  gain  is  very 
considerable,  but  if  ho  should  die.  they  are  sure  to  have  their  heads  cut  otf  by 
the  relatives  or  friends  of  the  deceased.  This  never  fails  to  bo  done,  and  even 
the  relatives  of  the  medicine-men  And  nothing  at  all  of  which  to  complain,  and 
do  not  testify  anj'  concern. 

There  is  the  same  rule  with  some  other  jugglers,  who  undertake  to  jtrocure 
rain  or  fair  ^^eather.  These  arc  commoidy  indolent  old  men,  who,  wishing  to 
avoid  the  labor  which  is  reiiuired  in  hunting,  fishing,  and  the  cultivation  of 
the  lields,  exercise  this  dangerous  trade  to  gain  a  support  for  their  families. 
Towards  spring,  the  nation  taxes  itself  to  i)urehaso  from  the.so  jugglers  favor- 
able weather  lor  the  fruits  of  the  earth.  If  the  liarvest  prove  abundant,  they 
gain  a  handsome  reward,  but  if  it  is  unfortunate,  they  take  it  from  them,  and 
cut  olf  their  heads.  Tiius  those  who  engage  in  this  profession  risk  every  thing 
to  gain  every  thing.  In  other  respects  their  Ufe  is  very  idle;  they  have  no 
other  inconvenience  than  that  of  fasting  and  dancing,  with  a  pipe  in  their 
mouth  full  of  water,  and  pierced  like  a  watering-pot,  which  thoy  blow  into  the 
air  on  the  side  where  the  clouds  are  thickest.  In  one  hand  they  hold  the 
sicioud,  which  is  a  kind  of  rattle,  and  in  the  other  their  Spirits,  which  they 


I 


'Ir 


JOURNAL    OP    FATIIF.U    CHAULEVOIX. 


1-K) 


r  tlic  Hca ; 

very  well 

aatiou  for 

ost  without 
lu  from  this 

I'iK'rally  old 
hiiiits.  They 

in  diU'iTfut 
ly  al)out  the 
the  tiiliiicco. 

iu'e('ii;:,'iige(l 
ompiviiic'il  l)y 
should  uiitu- 

Thcy  liiivea 
hat  is  to  say, 
iiaiv  of  fiiHuw 
other  siuiilar 

thout  ceasing 
accrtaiu  root, 
[niless.     After 
)l(l  of  these 
hey  cut  with 
blood  they 
at  the  same 
■y  have  con- 
atives  of  tlie 
■sc  medicine- 
gaiu  is  very 
ads  cut  otf  by 
ue.  and  even 
iomplaiu,  and 

ko  to  lu-ocure 
10.  wishing  to 
uUivation  of 
leir  fimilies. 
gglers  favor- 
juudaut,  thoy 
m  them,  and 
k  every  thing 
they  have  no 
pipe  in  their 
blow  into  the 
they  hold  the 
which  they 


tlic  capital  tlian  in  this  place.  It  i.s  not  subject  to  the  inundation  of 
tlic  river,  the  air  is  pure,  and  the  country  very  extensive ;  tlic  soil  is 
fit  for  every  thing,  and  well  watered ;  it  ia  not  too  far  from  the  sea, 

stretcli  out  towards  the  clouds,  uttering  fiiglitful  cries  to  invite  them  to  burst 
upon  their  fields. 

If  it  is  pleasant  weather  for  which  they  ask.  tliey  do  not  n-ie  these  i>ip('s, 
but  they  mount  on  the  roof  of  their  cabins,  and  with  tiieir  arms  malce  signs  to 
the  clouds,  blowing  with  all  their  strength,  that  it  shall  nut  stop  over  their 
lauds,  but  pass  beyond.  Wiien  the  clouds  are  di>sipated  according  to  their 
wish,  they  dance  and  sing  about  their  Spirits,  which  they  place  reverent!}  on  a 
kind  of  i>illow  ;  they  redouble  their  fasts,  and  when  the  cloud  has  passed,  they 
swallow  the  smoke  of  tobacco,  and  hold  up  their  jiipes  to  the  sky. 

Although  they  never  show  any  favor  to  these  charlatans,  when  they  do  not 
obtain  what  they  ask,  yet  the  jirolit  tlu'y  receive  is  so  great,  when  by  chance 
they  succeed,  that  wc  sei'  a  great  number  of  these  savages,  who  do  not  at  all 
fear  to  run  the  risks.  It  is  to  hi'  observed,  that  he  who  undertakes  to  furnish 
rain,  never  engages  to  procure  i)leasaiit  weather.  There  is  another  kind  of 
cliarlatans  to  whom  this  jirivilege  belongs,  and  wh<;ii  y(»u  ask  them  the  reason, 
they  answer  boldly  that  their  Spirits  can  givi'  but  the  one  or  the  other. 

When  (IK!  of  these  Indians  dies,  his  relatives  come  to  mourn  his  death  dur- 
ing an  entile  day,  then  they  array  him  in  his  most  beautil'ul  dresses,  they  paint 
his  face  and  his  hair,  and  ornament  him  with  plumes,  after  which  they  carry 
him  to  the  grave  prepared  for  him.  ])laciiig  by  his  si(h'  his  arms,  a  kettle,  and 
some  iirovisions.  For  the  sjiaee  of  a  month,  his  ridatives  come  at  the  dawn  of 
day  and  at  the  beginning  of  the  niglit,  to  weep  for  half  an  hour  at  his  grave. 
Each  oiK^  names  his  degree  of  relationshi|).  if  he  wert;  the  father  of  a  family, 
the  wife  cries,  "  JNIy  dear  husband,  ah  I  how  1  ri'gret  you  !"  The  children  cry, 
'•  ;\ty  dear  father!"  The  others.  ■  My  uncle  !  my  cousin!"  &c.  The  nearest 
relations  continue  this  ceremony  for  three  months;  they  cut  otf  tlu'ir  hair  in 
sign  of  grief,  they  abstain  from  i)ainting  the  body,  and  are  never  found  at  any 
assembly  for  festivity. 

When  any  foreign  nation  comes  to  treat  of  peace  with  the  Natchez  Indians, 
they  send  their  couriers  to  give  notice  of  the  day  aii<l  hour  when  the.v  shall 
make  their  entrance.  The  great  chief  orders  the  masters  of  ceremony  to  pre- 
j)are  all  things  for  this  grand  occasion.  They  begin  by  naming  those  who  dur- 
ing each  (lay  should  sui)port  the  strangers,  fir  the  exi)ense  never  falls  ujioii  the 
chief  but  always  on  his  subjects.  Then  they  clear  the  roads,  they  sweep  the 
cabins,  they  Arrange  the  seats  in  a  lary:e  hall  which  is  on  the  mound  of  the 
great  chief  by  ih;'  side  of  his  cabin.  His  throne,  which  is  on  an  elevation,  is 
painted  and  ornameiit"d,  and  the  bottom  is  furnished  with  beautiful  mats. 

On  the  day  that  the  ambassadors  are  to  make  their  entrance,  all  the  nation 
assembles.  The  masters  of  ceremony  place  the  princes,  the  chiefs  of  the  vil- 
lages, and  the  old  chiefs  of  quality  near  the  great  chief  on  particular  seats. 
W^hen  the  amliassadors  arrive,  and  are  within  five  hundred  steps  of  the  great 
chief  they  stop  and  chant  the  song  of  peace.  The  ambassage  ordinarily  con- 
sists of  thirty  men  and  si.K  females.  Six  of  the  best  made,  and  who  have  the 
finest  voices,  march  in  front;  they  are  followed  by  the  others,  who  chant  in  like 
manner,  regulating  the  cadence  with  the  sic'wud.    The  six  females  are  the  last. 


» 


III 


f\ 


'  I  ■', 


150 


HIHTOIIICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


and  notliing  Iiindora  ships  from  coming  hither.  Lastly,  it  is  near  all 
the  places  where,  according  as  appears,  there  is  any  design  to  make 
settlements.  The  company  have  a  warehouse,  and  keep  a  clerk  hero, 
who  has  not  as  yet  mnoh  employment. 


I'.i 


fiiiir 


mt 


i|,;i:l 


Wlu'ii  thi!  cliitT  lias  (liri'ctcd  (hoin  to  np]H'(mcli,  tlioy  advniicc;  tlioso  who 
have  tll(^  I'iitmnt'tH,  rliiiiit  iiiitl  ilaiH'o  with  imicli  iiifility,  now  turning  around  each 
otlicr,  and  now  lu'cscntin;^  tlii'msclvcs  in  front,  hut  al\vay.>i  witli  violent  luove- 
nu'nts  and  cKtiaordinary  contortions.  Win.'n  they  have  mturod  the  ciirlo,  thoy 
danci'  ahout  tiic  chair  on  wliicli  tlio  chief  is  seated,  they  rub  liini  witii  tlielr 
cahnnets  from  liis  feet  even  to  his  jiead.  and  after  that  f;o  hack  to  lind  those 
wlio  Ix'ionj;  to  their  suite.  Tlien  tiiey  till  one  of  tlieir  eaiuniets  witii  toltacco, 
aud  liolding  tlio  flro  in  one  hand,  tiiey  advance  altogether  heforo  the  chief  and 
smoke  it:  they  direct  the  first  pnlf  of  smoke  towards  the  heavens,  tin;  second 
towards  the  earth,  and  the  others  around  the  hori/ou,  after  which  they  without 
ceremony  present  the  i>ii»e  to  the  princes  and  to  the  other  chiefs. 

This  ceremony  having  been  linished,  the  ambassadors,  as  a  token  of  alliance, 
rub  th(;ir  hands  on  the  stomach  of  the  chief,  and  rub  themselves  over  the  wliolo 
body:  they  then  place  their  calumets  before  the  chief  on  small  forks,  while  the 
person  among  the  ambassadors  who  is  particularly  charged  with  the  orders  of 
his  nation,  delivers  an  harangue  which  lasts  for  an  entire  hour.  When  he  has 
flnisiied,  they  make  a  sign  to  the  strangers  to  be  .seated  on  the  benches  ranged 
near  the  great  chief,  who  responds  to  them  by  a  discour.se  of  eciual  length. 
Then  the  master  of  ceremonies  ligiits  the  great  calmnct  of  peace,  and  nuikes 
the  sti  angers  smoke,  who  swallow  the  tobacco  smoke.  The  great  chief  in- 
quires of  them,  whether  they  arrived  safe,  that  is,  whether  they  are  well,  and 
those  who  arc  arcnmd  them  go  one  after  the  other  to  discharge  the  same  odice 
of  politeness.  After  which  they  conduct  them  to  the  cabin  which  has  been 
prepared  for  them,  and  where  they  are  feasted. 

The  same  evening  at  sunset,  the  ambassadors,  with  the  calumet  in  their 
hands,  go  with  singing  to  find  the  great  chief,  and  having  raised  liim  on  their 
shoulders,  they  transport  him  to  the  (luarter  in  which  their  cabin  Is  situated. 
They  spread  on  the  ground  a  large  skin,  on  which  they  cause  him  to  sit  down. 
One  of  them  places  himself  behmd  him,  and  putting  his  hands  on  the  chief's 
shoulders,  he  agitates  all  his  body,  while  the  others,  seated  in  a  circle  on  the 
ground,  chant  the  history  of  their  distinguished  deeds.  After  tliis  ceremony, 
which  is  repeated  night  aud  morning  for  four  days,  the  great  chief  returns  to 
his  cabin.  When  lie  pays  his  last  visit  to  the  ambassadors,  these  place  a  stake 
at  his  feet,  about  which  they  seat  themselves:  the  braves  of  the  nation  having 
arrayed  themselves  in  all  their  linery,  dance  around,  striking  tlie  stake,  and  in 
turn  recounting  their  great  exi)loits  in  war ;  then  follows  the  presentation  of 
presents  to  the  ambassadors,  which  consist  of  kettles,  liatchets,  guns,  powder, 
balls,  &c. 

The  day  following  this  last  ceremony,  it  is  permitted  to  the  ambassadors  to 
walk  through  the  whole  village,  which  before  they  were  not  able  to  do.  Then 
every  evening  they  give  them  spectacles,  that  is  to  say.  the  men  and  women  in 
their  most  beautiful  dresses  assemble  at  the  public  place,  and  dance  until  the 
night  is  fiir  advanced.  When  they  are  ready  to  return  liome,  the  masters  of 
the  ceremonies  furnish  them  with  the  provisions  necessary  for  the  journey. 


Ifi 


JOLUNAI.    OK    TATIIEIl    CIIARI.KVOtX. 


151 


is  near  all 
n  to  inako 
3lerk  hero, 


those  who 
[iroiind  each 
ok'iil  movc- 
ciri'lu,  they 

witli  tlieir 
I  liiid  tliDso 
itli  tobacco, 
10  cliicf  ami 
,  this  Second 
hey  without 

I  of  alliance, 

ur  tlie  whole 

H,  while  the 

he  orders  of 

'hen  he  has 

lelies  ranged 

(ual  length. 

and  makes 

at  chief  in- 

e  well,  and 

same  ofHco 

h  has  been 

net  in  their 

ini  on  their 

is  situated. 

o  sit  down. 

the  chief's 

cle  on  the 

ceremony, 

returns  to 

ICC  a  stake 

ion  having 

ike,  and  in 

ntation  of 

s,  powder, 

ssadors  to 
:lo.  Then 
women  in 
until  the 
masters  of 
urney. 


I 


Among  a  great  mimbur  of  jjarticular  grants,  which  aro  already 
in  a  condition  of  producing  soinetliing,  tliorc  arc  two  of  tlio  first  mag- 
nitude ;  that  i.s  to  say.  four  leagues  sijuarc  :  one  belongs  t<i  a  SMcit:ty 
of  St.  Malo,  who  bought  it  of  31.  Hubert,  governing  connnissary,  and 

After  having  thu.s  given  you  a  slight  idea  of  tlic  character  and  customs  of 
the  Natchez  Indians,  I  ]iroceed,  my  Reverend  Father,  as  I  have  iiromi^ed  you, 
to  enter  on  a  <U'tail  of  their  perlidy  and  treason.  It  wa.s  on  the  seeoiid  of  De- 
cember of  the  year  17-J,  that  we  learned  tiicy  had  surjjri.sed  the  Freiieli,  and 
had  massacred  almost  all  of  them.  This  sad  news  was  first  brought  to  us  by 
one  of  the  planters,  who  had  escaped  their  fury.  It  was  conlirnied  t<i  us  on 
the  following  day  by  other  French  fugitivt's,  and  finally,  some  Fretieli  wnnieii 
whom  they  had  made  slaves,  and  were  forced  afterwards  to  restore,  broiigiit  us 
all  the  particulars. 

At  the  first  rumor  of  an  event  so  sad,  the  alarm  and  consternation  was  ge- 
neral in  New  Orleans.  Although  the  mas.sacre  had  taken  place  more  than  a 
hundred  leagues  from  liere,  you  would  have  su|)|)osed  that  it  had  hajipened 
under  our  own  eyes  ;  each  one  was  mourning  the  loss  of  a  relative,  a  friend,  or 
some  property;  all  were  alarmed  for  their  own  lives,  for  there  was  reason  to 
fear  that  the  conspiracy  of  the  Indians  had  been  general. 

This  unlooked  for  massacre  began  on  Monday,  the  liKth  of  November.  1720, 
about  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Some  cause  of  dissatisfaction  whieh  the 
Natchez:  thought  they  had  with  the  conunander,  and  the  arrival  of  a  number 
of  richly  loailed  boats  for  the  garrison  and  the  colonists,  determined  them  to 
hasten  their  enteri)rise,  and  to  strike  their  blow  sooner  than  they  had  agreed 
witli  the  other  confederate  tribes.  And  it  was  thus  that  they  carried  their  plan 
into  execution.  First  they  divided  themselves,  and  sent  into  the  fort,  into  the 
village,  and  into  the  two  grants,  as  many  Indians  as  there  were  French  in  each 
of  these  places;  then  they  feigned  that  they  were  going  out  for  a  grand  hunt, 
and  undertook  to  trade  with  the  French  for  guns,  jjowder,  and  ball,  oll'ering  to 
pay  them  as  much,  and  even  more  than  was  customary,  and  in  truth,  as  there 
was  no  reason  to  suspect  their  fidelity,  they  made  at  that  time  an  exchange  of 
their  jjoultry  and  corn,  for  some  arms  and  anmiunition  which  they  used  advan- 
tageoiisly  against  us.  It  is  true  that  some  expressed  their  distrust,  but  this 
was  thought  to  have  so  little  foundation,  that  they  were  treated  as  cowar<ls  who 
were  frightened  at  their  own  shadows.  They  had  been  on  their  guard  against 
the  Tchactas,  but  as  for  the  Natchez,  they  had  never  distrusted  them,  and  they 
were  so  persuaded  of  their  good  faith,  that  it  increased  their  hardihood.  Hav- 
ing thus  posted  themselves  in  different  houses,  provideil  with  the  arms  obtained 
from  us.  they  attacked  at  the  same  time  each  his  nuin,  and  in  less  than  two 
hours  they  massacred  more  than  two  hundred  of  the  French.  The  best  known 
are  M.  dc  Chopart,  commander  of  the  post,  I\I.  du  Codere,  conunander  among 
the  Yasous,  M.  des  Ursins,  Messieurs  de  Kolly,  father  and  son,  JVlessieurs  de 
Longrays,  des  Noyers,  Bailly,  &c. 

The  Father  du  Poisson  had  just  performed  the  funeral  rites  of  his  associate, 
the  Brother  Crucy,  who  had  died  very  suddenly  of  a  sun-stroke  :  he  was  on 
his  way  to  consult  M.  Perrier,  and  to  adopt  with  him  i)roper  measures  to  enable 
the  Arkansas  to  descend  to  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  for  the  acconuuoda- 
tion  of  the  voyagers.    Ho  arrived  among  the  Natchez  ou  the  2Gth  of  Novem- 


u 


I 


Tl 


152 


IIISTOKICAI.    COI.M;cTI()N8    of    LOUISIANA. 


I'rcHidciit  of  tlio  CiiuiKtil  of  Loui.siiina  :  tlicotlicr  belongs  to  tlio  com- 
Iiiuiy.  wlio  luivc  .sunt  hitliLT  some  workmen  from  (Mural  to  miikc  to- 
bacco hero.  ThoHo  two  grants  arc  so  .situated,  that  tliey  make  an 
exact  trianglo  with  the  fort,  and  tho  distanco  of  ono  anglo  from  tho 


\>' :  ;■ 


5 '  ;i' :  - 


Iter,  tliiit  is,  two  (lays  licfdrc  tlic  iiiiissncrc.  Tlic  next  day,  wliidi  was  t\w  llrst 
.Siiiiday  of  Advent,  lie  said  muss  in  the  |i.iiish,  iind  pn  aelicd  in  the  alisencc  of 
tlie  C'uiv.  lie  was  to  liiive  ntuini'd  in  tlie  ai'ternoun  to  Ids  mission  anion;;  tlio 
Aliansas.  Itut  ho  was  dctninecl  hy  sdnie  sielt  persons,  to  wlioiu  it  was  necessary 
to  administer  tlie  .Saeranients.  On  Monday,  lie  was  alioiit  to  say  mass,  and  to 
carry  tlie  Holy  ISacianient  to  one  of  those  wick  persons  whom  he  hud  eonl'essed 
the  eveniiif;  liel'ore,  wlieii  tlie  inassaere  tiejjan  ;  a  f;ii,Mntic  chief  si.t  feet  in  liei;;lit, 
Hci/ed  him  and  liavini.--  thrown  him  to  the  ;;r(mnd.  ent  off  his  head  with  blows 
of  a  hutcliet.  The  l''atliei'  in  fnllin;;  only  nttered  these  words,  "  Ah,  my  (ind  ! 
ah,  my  (io(l  I'  M,  ilii  Codeic  drew  his  sword  to  defend  him,  when  he  was  him- 
self killed  by  a  musket  hall  from  another  Imlian  whom  ln'  did  not  perceive. 

These  harharians  spari'd  hiit  two  of  the  Freiieh,  a  tailor  and  u  earpi'nter,* 
who  were  able  to  serve  their  wants.  They  did  not  treat  biully  either  the  iie^o-o 
slaves,  or  the  Indians  who  wi're  willinjj  to  i;ive  themselves  up;  hut  they  ripped 
up  the  belly  of  every  prei^iiaiit  woman,  ami  kilkd  almost  ,ill  those  who  were 
nursing'  their  children,  beeanse  they  were  disturbed  by  their  cries  and  tears. 
They  diil  not  kill  tho  other  women,  but  made  them  their  slaves,  and  treated 
them  with  every  indii,'nity  dnrini;  the  two  or  three  months  that  they  were  their 
masters.  Tho  least  miserable  were  those  who  knew  how  to  sew,  because  they 
kept  them  busy  in  making  shirts,  dresses,  &.c,  The  others  wcro  employed  in 
cuttiuf;  and  carryinjj  wood  for  cooning',  and  in  poiindini;  the  corn  of  which  they 
make  their  siii;ninilc.  But  two  thin<;js.  above  all,  agjjravateil  the  grief  an<l  hard- 
ness of  their  slavery  ;  it  was,  in  the  llrst  i)lucc,  to  have  for  masters  tliose  same 
persons  whom  they  had  seen  dippiiiji;  their  cruel  hands  in  the  blood  of  their 
busbaiids;  and,  in  the  second  placi'.  to  hear  them  continually  .saying,  that  the 
French  had  been  treated  in  the  sanu!  manner  at  all  tho  other  posts,  and  that 
the  country  was  now  entirely  I'rei'd  from  them. 

During  the  massacre,  the  Sun,  or  the  great  chief  of  the  Natclii'/,,  was  seated 
quietly  under  tho  tobacco  shed  of  tho  comi)any.  His  warriors  brought  to  his 
fi'ct  the  head  of  thu  commander,  about  which  they  ranged  those  of  the  piinei- 
pal  I'reiich  of  the  post,  leaving  their  bodies  a  prey  to  tho  dugs,  the  buzzards, 
and  other  caruivorous  birds. 

When  they  were  asstu'cd  that  not  another  Frencliman  remained  at  the  post, 
tlioy  applied  themselves  to  jilnnder  the  houses,  the  magazine  of  the  India  Com- 
pany, and  all  the  boats  which  were  still  loaded  by  the  bank  of  the  river.  They 
emiiloyed  the  negroes  to  transport  the  mercliandise,  which  they  divided  among 
themselves,  with  the  exception  of  the  munitions  of  war,  which  they  placed  for 
security  in  a  separate  cabin.  While  the  brandy  lasted,  of  which  they  found  a 
good  supply,  they  passe<l  their  days  and  nights  in  drinking,  singing,  dancingi 
and  insulting  in  the  nu)st  barbarous  manner  the  dead  bodies  and  the  memory 
of  tho  French.    The  Tchacliif,  and  the  other  Indians  being  engaged  in  tho  plot 

*  A  >I.  roiriciult,  who  aftervvnnlp  wriiio  a.  .Imiriinl  of  all  that  passed  in  Louisiana  from  1709 
to  ITii,  wliicli  is  deposited  in  the  Uibliotlu'tiue  ilu  Koi,  Piiiis 


n 


JctUKNAt.    Ol'    lATIIi'.Il    CIIAULI:VUIX. 


153 


I  tlio  com- 
iiitiko  to- 
iimko  nil 
from  tho 

■UH  till)  first 

UhMl'lirL'  of 

amuiii;  th's 
s  iii'L'issary 
msM,  mill  to 
(I  (Miiirissc'd 
•till  lu'i>,'ht, 
with  l>lo\V8 
h,  my  ('ixl ! 
he  was  liiin- 
pcrci'ivi'. 
ciirju'iitiT,* 
IT  tlio  negro 
tlicy  riiiiifd 
e  will)  wcro 
■s  luid  ti'iirs. 
anil  triatod 
ly  wtMv  tlii'ir 
ccauso  they 
■nipliiytd  in 
I'wliicli  they 
1(1' and  lianl- 
liosi'  saiiu! 
jodd  i>r  tliulr 
|ii^',  that  tho 
ts,  and  that 

was  soatod 

iiiijht  to  Ills 

thi-'  iirinci- 

•  liu/zards, 

I  at  tho  post, 
India  Com- 
liviT.  They 
lidcd  among 
V-  jilut'cd  for 
liuy  found  a 
Lg.  dancingi 
|he  miMuory 
in  tho  plot 

lina  fiom  1709 


other  is  a  lonjruo.  [Iiilf  way  liotwcon  tho  two  j^raiits  is  tlio  grop.t  vil- 
lage of  the  Natchez  I  have  oarofiilly  vlHitoil  all  thoMo  jihiees :  uud 
hero  follows  ail  aceouut  of  what  1  fimiid  iiio.st  roiiiarkablo: 

with  thi'in,  thoy  iVlt  at  tiiiir  oasc.  aini  did  imt  at  all  foar  that  they  would  draw 
nil  thrmsclvcs  tlio  vrii^'oaiici'  wliii  li  was  iinrilril  liy  tlnir  ciiii'lty  ami  |ioi'liiiy. 
Olio  ni;,'ht,  wlii'ii  tlioy  wok-  |iluii,'nl  in  diiinkoiiiioss  ami  slci'ii,  Mailamo  ih'S 
Noyers  wished  to  make  use  Di'tho  nonriKs  to  rovon;;o  tho  death  oilier  lui>l>atid 
and  the  Kreiieh,  Init  >lio  was  lietiayeil  iiv  llie  person  to  wlmm  siu'  oniiliiled  her 
dosi;,'ii,  and  oanie  very  near  luiiii,'  huriied  alixi'. 

Sonii!  of  tho  Flench  oMMped  llie  I'my  ol'  the  Indians  by  taking  refuge  in  tho 
woodx,  where  they  snll'ieil  extieinely  rnmi  liiinj;er  and  the  ell'icls  of  iho 
weather.  f)ne  of  tluni,  on  aiiiviin,'  heie  iiliived  iis  of  a  litiie  ilisi|niitiiile  wo 
felt  with  regard  to  the  post  we  (Mieiipy  among  the  V'l; :((//.<,  whieh  is  not  iiioro 
than  forty  or  llfiy  leagues  aliove  the  Nalohe/,  liy  water,  ami  i.iily  from  lil'ieeii  to 
twenty  hy  land.  Not  lieiiig  aiile  longi  r  to  emliivo  the  extn  nie  eold  iVom  w  hiuh 
he  .suU'orod,  he  left  tlio  wooils  miiler  cover  of  night,  to  go  ami  waim  liimsrjf  in 
tho  house  of  a  Freiieliman.  Win  n  ho  was  near  it  ho  heard  the  voicis  of  In- 
dians, and  ih.'lilierated  wliether  he  should  outer,  lie  ilelermilled.  however,  to 
do  so.  preferring  rather  to  juTish  hy  the  hand  of  those  Imrhariaiis,  than  to  dio 
of  famine  and  cold.  He  was  agreeaiiiy  siirprised  when  he  found  these  savages 
I'agor  to  render  him  a  service,  to  heap  Ivimlmsscs  upon  him.  to  commiseiato 
liitn,  to  eoiisolo  him.  to  furnish  him  wil  h  provisions,  elothos,  and  a  huat  to  maku 
his  oHcapo  to  Now  Orleans.  These  were  the  V'a/ous.  who  were  retuiniiiir  from 
chanting  tho  ealumet  at  Ouniiis.  The  ehii  f  charged  him  to  say  to  M.  Perrior, 
that  he  had  nothing  to  fear  on  the  part  of  tho  Va/oiis,  that  '  tln^y  would  not 
lose  their  spirit, '  that  is,  that  they  would  always  remain  attached  to  the  rreiieh, 
and  that  ho  would  ho  constantly  on  the  watch  with  his  triho,  to  warn  tho 
French  hoats  that  wore  desci'iiding  tho  river  to  ho  on  their  guaid  against  the 
Natcho/.. 

We  helieved  for  a  long  time  that  the  in'oniises  of  this  cliiof  were  very  sin- 
cere, and  feared  no  more  Indian  peiliily  for  our  [lost  among  the  Va/ons.  lUit 
learn,  my  Rovorend  Father,  the  disposition  of  tlio.so  Indians,  and  how  little  ono 
is  ahlo  to  trust  their  words,  even  whoiiaeoompaniod  by  the  greatest  demonstra- 
tions of  frienilship,  .Scarcely  had  they  returned  to  their  own  village,  when, 
loaded  with  the  prosonls  they  received  t'roiii  the  Natclie/.  they  followed 
their  example  and  imitated  their  treachery.  Uniting  with  the  Carnnjs, 
they  agreed  together  to  exlermiiiate  the  Fieiieh.  They  began  with  F.ithor 
Souol,  the  missionary  of  both  tribes,  who  was  then  living  in  the  midst  of  ihein, 
in  their  own  village.  The  fidelity  of  tho  Ojniiouliis.  who  were  then  absent  at 
tho  chase,  has  never  boon  shaken,  and  they  now  compose  one  village  with  tho 
Tonikas. 

On  the  11th  of  December,  Father  Souol  was  returning  in  the  ovcning  from 
visiting  tho  chief,  and  while  in  a  ravine,  received  many  musket-balls,  and  fell 
dead  on  the  spot.  The  imliaus  inimoiliat(.'!y  rushed  to  his  cabin  to  phimk'r  it. 
His  negro,  who  ooiiiposod  all  his  liiniily  and  all  his  dofeiico.  ariiu'd  himself  with 
a  wood-cutter's  knilo,  to  prevent  tho  pillage,  and  oven  wounded  ono  ol'  ilio  sav- 
ages. This  zealous  action  cost  him  his  life,  but,  haiipily,  less  than  a  nioiith  be- 
fore he  had  received  baptisir ,  and  was  living  in  a  most  Christian  manner. 

10 


1?^ 

i 

I. 


i 

mm 


Mir 


154 


HISTORICAL    COLLKCTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


The  grant  of  the  Maloiiis  is  woll  situated ;  it  wants  nothing  to 
inako  an  iin|irovenicnt  of  tlio  land  but  negroes,  or  hired  servants.  I 
should  prefer  the  last :  when  the  time  of  their  service  is  expired,  they 

Tlii'sc  Indians,  who  even  to  tliiit  tiinc  liad  scinui'il  sensible  of  llic  alloction 
wlii'.ii  tlR'ir  luissioiiary  lunt'  tlii'in,  ii'iiroMclicd  tlicinsi'lvi's  for  liis  (U-atli  as  soon 
as  ilicy  WL'i'f  ( aiialiie  of  i-clli'ctioii ;  hut  rctui'iiiiii,''  aj^iiiu  to  tlii'ir  natural  ferocity, 
thcv  a<lopt('(l  the  resolution  of  ji\Utinj,'  a  linisiiiiij,'-  stroke  to  their  crime  hy  the 
clestniction  of  the  wliolt.'  French  jiost.  "  Since  the  lilack  Chief  is  dead."  said 
they.  •'  it  is  the  same  as  if  all  the  French  were  dead— let  us  not  si)are  any." 

The  ne.\t  <lay  lliey  e.xecuted  their  haiharous  ])lan.  They  repaired  early  in 
the  mornini,^  to  the  fort,  which  was  not  nn)re  than  a  leau;ne  distant,  and  whose 
occupants  supposed,  on  their  arrival,  that  the  Indians  wished  to  chant  the  calu- 
met to  the  Chevalier  des  Roches,  who  conuuanded  that  post  in  the  ab.senee  of 
M.  (U-  Codere.  He  had  hut  seventeen  men  with  liim.  who  had  no  susjjicion  of 
any  evil  design,  on  tlie  part  of  the  savages,  and  were  therefore  all  massacred, 
not  one  escapini:;  tiieir  fury.  They,  however,  granted  iheir  lives  to  four  women 
and  live  children,  whom  they  found  tlu're.  iuid  whom  they  made  slaves. 

One  of  the  Vazous  having  stripped  the  missionary,  clothed  himself  in  hi.s 
garments,  and  shortly  after  announced  to  the  Natchez,  that  his  nation  had  re- 
deemed thi'ir  pledge,  and  that  the  French  settled  among  them  were  all  ma.ssa- 
cred.  In  this  city  there  was  no  longer  any  doubt  on  that  i)oint,  as  soon  as  they 
learned  what  came  near  being  the  fate  of  Father  Doutreleau.  This  missionary 
had  availed  himself  of  the  timi'  when  the  Indians  were  engaged  in  their  winter 
occupations,  to  come  and  see  us,  for  the  purpose  of  regulating  some  matters  re- 
lating to  his  mission.  He  set  out  on  the  lirst  day  of  tlii>  year.  IT^^O,  and  not 
expecting  to  arrive  at  the  resideni:e  of  Father  Souel,  of  whose  liite  he  was  igno- 
rant in  time  to  say  mass,  he  determint'd  to  say  it  at  the  mouth  of  the  little 
river  of  the  Ya/ons.  where  bis  party  had  cabined. 

As  ho  was  preparing  for  this  sacred  ollice.  be  saw  a  boat  full  of  Indians  land- 
ing. They  denumded  from  them,  of  what  nation  they  were  ?  "Yazons,  com- 
rades of  the  French."  they  rei)lied.  making  a  thousand  friendly  denu)nstrations 
to  t lie  voyagers  who  accomiianied  the  mi.-sionary,  and  i)re.senting  them  with 
))rovisions.  While  the  Father  was  preparing  bis  altar,  a  tloek  of  bustards 
pa>sed.  and  tin'  voyagers  lired  at  tberii  the  oidy  two  guns  they  bad,  without 
thinking  vl'  reloading,  as  mass  had  already  commenced.  The  Indians  noted 
tlii>.  and  placed  themselves  behind  the  voyagers,  as  if  it  was  their  intention  to 
bear  nias.s.  although  they  were  not  Christians, 

At  the  tinu'  the  Father  was  saying  the  Kijrk  Elci.ion,  the  Indians  made  their 
di>charge.  Tiie  missionary  ijcrceiving  hims(df  wounded  in  bis  right  arm  and 
st'eing  one  of  the  voyagers  killed  ai  his  feet,  and  the  tour  others  tied,  threw 
bim>elf  on  his  knees  to  receive  the  last  fatal  blow,  which  he  regarded  as  inevit- 
able. In  this  posture  be  received  two  or  three  discharges.  But  aithough  the 
Indians  tired  while  almost  touching  him.  yet  they  did  not  intlict  on  him  any 
new  wounds.  Fnding  himself  then,  as  it  were,  miraculously  escaped  from  so 
many  mortal  blows,  ho  took  to  llight.  having  on  still  his  jtricstly  garments,  and 
williout  auy  other  defence  than  an  entire  conlidenee  in  God,  whose  particular 
protection  was  given  him,  as  the  event  |)roved.  He  threw  himself  into  the  wa- 
ter, and,  after  advancing  some  steps,  gained  the  boat  in  which  two  of  the  voya- 


thing  to 
ants.  I 
red,  tlicy 

I'  iillbetiuii 
th  as  soon 
il  li'roc'ity, 
luc  by  tho 
011(1,''  sail! 
■  any." 
.'(1  early  'n 
and  whoso 
it  tlio  (:alii- 
ab.siincc  of 
usi)it'ion  of 
massacred, 
'oiir  women 

VL'S. 

iisolf  in  Ills 
ion  had  ce- 
;  all  massa- 
ioon  as  they 
s  missionary 
[licir  winter 
matters  re- 
M),  an<l  not 
le  was  ifjno- 
jf  the  little 

ndians  land- 
ii/.ons,  com- 
lonstratious 
them  with 
of  Imstard.s 
ad,  without 
dians  noted 
intention  to 

made  their 

lit  arm    and 

lied,  threw 

d  as  iiH'vit- 

ithongh  tho 

on  him  any 

.ped  from  so 

innents.  and 

se  particular 

into  the  wa- 

of  the  voya,- 


JOURNAL    OF    FATIIKR    CHARLEVOIX. 


155 


become  inhabitants,  and  inerca.so  the  number  of  the  king's  natural 
subjects;  wlieroas  tho  first  arc  always  strangers:  and  who  can  be 
assured,  tliat  by  continually  increasing  in  our  colonies,  they  will  not 

p'l's  were  maUiiii,^  their  escape.  They  had  snppo.sed  hini  to  he  IuUimI  by  some 
ol'  the  ii:any  balls  which  they  liad  heard  flred  on  liim.  In  elindiinic  np  into  tiic 
boat,  and  turning  his  head  to  see  whether  any  "lie  of  his  pursuers  was  following 
him  too  closely,  he  received  in  the  month  a  discliiirge  of  small  shot,  tho  greater 
part  of  wliieh  were  llatteiied  against  his  teeth,  though  some  of  them  entered 
his  gums,  and  remained  there  for  a  long  time.  I  liive  myself  seen  two  of  them. 
Father  Doutreleau.  all  wounded  as  he  was,  undertook  the  duty  of  steering  the 
boat,  wiiik'  his  two  eomiiauiims  placed  themselves  at  the  oars.  Unfortunately 
one  of  them,  at  setting  out  had  his  thigh  bidken  by  a  miiski't-ball,  from  the 
elfects  of  which  he  has  since  remaineil  a  cripple. 

You  may  wi'll  imagin<\  my  l!.e\-evend  Father,  that  the  missionary  and  his 
com]ianioi;s  had  no  thuiigiits  of  ascending  tiie  river,  'i'hcy  descended  the  Mis- 
sissippi with  all  the  speed  |iossible.  and  at  last  lost  siglit  of  the  boat  of  their 
enemies,  who  had  pursued  them  f<ir  mure  than  an  hmir,  keeping  up  a  oontinnal 
lire  ujion  them,  and  who  lioasted  al  the  viliai;e  that  they  hail  killed  them.  The 
two  rowers  were  often  tempted  to  give  themselves  np,  l)Ut,  encouraged  by  the 
missionary,  they  in  their  turn  made  the  enemy  fear.  An  old  gun  which  was  not 
loack'ii,  "iK,r  ill  a  condition  to  tie,  which  they  [luinted  at  them  from  time  to  time, 
made  them  often  dodge  in  their  boat,  and  al  last  obliged  them  to  retire. 

As  soon  as  they  found  themselves  freed  lioui  their  enemies,  they  dressed 
their  wounds  as  well  as  they  could,  and  for  the  jjiirpose  of  aiding  their  lliglit 
from  that  fatal  shore,  they  threw  into  the  river  everything  they  had  in  their 
boat.  ]n-eserving  only  some  pieces  of  raw  bacon  for  their  nourishment. 

It  had  bei'U  their  intt'ntion  to  stop  in  jiassing  at  the  Xatehey.,  but  having 
seen  that  the  houses  of  the  French  were  either  demolished  or  burned,  they  did 
not  think  it  advisable  to  listen  to  the  compliments  of  the  Indians,  who  from  the 
bank  of  tho  river  inviled  them  to  land.  Thoy  place<l  a  wide  distance  lietweeii 
them  as  soon  as  possible,  and  thus  shunned  the  balls  which  were  inellectually 
firi'<I  at  them.  It  was  tlieii  that  they  began  to  distrust  all  these  Indian  nalioiis, 
and  therefore  resol\<  1  not  to  go  near  the  land  until  they  readu'd  Xew  Orleans, 
and  supposing  that  ti  •  savages  might  have  i-ciulered  themselves  inasteis  nf  it, 
to  descend  oven  to  tho  Balize,  where  they  hojied  to  lind  soniu  French  vessel 
provided  to  receive  tin;  wreck  of  the  colony. 

In  passing  the  Tuniku^.  they  separated  themselves  as  far  as  jiossible  from 
tho  shore,  hut  they  were  di,'-covere(l,  and  a  boat  which  had  been  dispatched  to 
reconnoitre  them,  was  not  a  long  time  in  approaching.  Their  tear  and  distrust 
was  iH'Uowod,  and  they  did  not  decide  to  sloj),  until  they  perceived  that  tho 
jicrsons  in  that  boat  spoke  very  good  French,  when  they  overcame  their  fcirs^ 
and  in  the  weak  slate  they  were,  gladly  availed  themselves  of  the  o])|i(iitunity 
to  land.  There  iney  Ibniid  the  little  French  army  which  had  been  formed,  the 
oliicers  compassionate  and  every  way  kind,  a  surgeon  and  relVeshmi'nts.  After 
recovering  a  little  iVoiu  the  great  dangers  and  mi.series  they  liad  endured,  they  ou 
the  next  day  availed  themselves  of  a  boat  which  had  been  litted  <int  for  New 
Orleans. 

I  caimot  express  to  you,  my  Revoroiid  Father,  the  great  satisfaction  I  felt  at 


: 


w 


'■U 


"I4.i 


(ill; 


FT 


I  .' 


1!  .1 


■•    i ' 


156 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


one  (lay  become  formidable  enemies  ?  Can  we  depend  upon  slaves, 
who  are  only  attached  to  us  by  fear,  and  for  whom  the  very  land 
whore  they  arc  born  has  not  the  dear  name  of  mother  country  ? 

sccini; Fatlic-r  Doutrolean,  his  arm  in  a  scarf,  anivf  after  ii  voyage  of  more  than 
four  Iiiiiidri'd  leagues,  all  the  clotlies  he  had  on  having  been  liorrowed,  exeopt 
his  eassock.  Bly  surprise  was  int'veased  at  the  reeital  of  his  adventures.  I 
placed  him  immediately  in  the  hands  of  Brother  Parisel.  who  examined  liis 
woniids,  and  who  dressed  them  with  treat  care  and  speetly  success. 

Tlie  missionary  was  not  yet  entirely  cured  of  his  wounds,  wiu'n  he  dejjartcd 
to  go  and  act  as  chaplain  to  the  French  army,  as  he  had  promised  the  ollicurs, 
in  accordance  with  their  rtMpiest.  He  endured  with  them  the  fatigues  of  the 
camiiaign  against  tlu:  \atchez,  and  there  gave  new  proofs  of  his  zeal,  liis  wis- 
dom, and  his  courage. 

On  his  return  fioni  the  Natchez,  he  came  to  recruit  himself  here  for  six 
weeks,  which  he  found  very  long,  hut  which  apiieared  to  mc  very  short.  Ho 
was  impatient  to  return  to  his  dear  mission,  hut  it  was  necessary  for  nu'  t<j  fit 
him  (Hit  generally  with  every  thing  proper  for  a  missionary,  and  he  was  obliged 
to  wait  for  the  escort  which  was  going  to  the  Illinois.  The  risks  which  they 
ran  on  the  river  during  this  insurrection  of  the  Indians  induced  the  commander 
to  forbid  voyagers  going  in  separate  comjianies.  He  set  out,  therefore,  on  tho 
Kith  of  April,  with  n\any  others,  in  a  body  sulliciently  large  to  relievo  them 
from  all  fear  of  their  eni'niies.  I  learned  in  fact  that  they  liad  proceeded  above 
the  Akensas  without  any  accident. 

The  pleasure  of  seeing  Father  Dontrelcau  for  the  lirst  time,  and  seeing  him, 
too,  after  his  escape  from  such  imminent  perils,  was  nnich  impaired  by  the  vivid 
grief  I  felt  for  the  loss  of  two  missionaries,  with  whose  merit  you  were  as  well 
acijuainted  as  myself.  You  know  that  to  a  most  amiable  disposition  they  united 
the  appropriate  (lualifications  for  apostolical  men,  that  they  were  very  much  at- 
tached to  their  mission,  that  they  had  already  become  well  accjuainted  with 
tlie  language  of  the  Indians,  that  their  earliest  labors  ha<l  produced  great  fruits, 
and  they  gave  the  jiromise  of  still  greater  results,  since  neither  of  them  was 
more  than  thirty-five  or  thirty-six  years  of  age.  This  dei)rivation,  which  en- 
tirely occupied  my  thoughts,  gave  me  no  time  for  thinking  of  the  loss  we  had 
sustained  of  their  negroes  and  their  elfects,  although  it  very  much  deraiigi'd  a 
mission  wliich  had  just  been  conunenced,  and  whose  necessities  you  kno^v  bet- 
ter than  any  one  else. 

But  nothing  has  happened  to  these  two  excellent  misssonaries  for  which  we 
should  mourn,  or  for  which  they  were  not  prejjared  when  they  devoted  them- 
selves to  the  Indian  missions  in  this  colony.  This  disposition  alone,  independ- 
ent <if  every  thing  else,  has  without  doubt  ])laced  a  great  dilference  in  the  eyes 
of  God  between  their  death  and  that  of  the  others,  who  have  fallen  nuirtyrs  to 
the  French  name.  But  I  am  well  persuaded,  that  the  fear  of  a  similar  fate 
will  not  in  the  least  diminish  the  zeal  of  those  of  our  Fathers  who  had  thought 
of  following  them,  neither  will  it  deter  our  Superiors  from  responding  to  the 
lioly  desires  they  may  have  of  sharing  our  labors. 

Knowing,  as  you  do,  my  Reverend  Father,  the  vigilance  and  the  oversight 
of  our  Governor,  you  can  well  inu'gine  that  he  did  not  sleep  in  this  sad  crisis 
in  which  we  now  found  ourselves.    We  may  say  without  flattery,  that  he  sur[)assed 


: 


c'iiiu;  hiiii; 
■  the  vivid 
;is  woll 
y  uiiitod 
imu'li  at- 
tfd  with 
U  fruits, 
R'ln  was 
lich  en- 
s  wo  liad 
raii^rd  a 
iiovv  bet- 


ovorsight 
sad  crisis 
surpassed 


JOURNAL    OF    FATHER    CFIARLEVOIX. 


15: 


The  first  night  I  lay  in  this  habitation,  there  was  a  great  ahirni 
about  nine  at  night.  I  iu(iuirud  the  cause  of  it,  and  they  told  me 
tha'j  there  was  in  the  neigliborhood  a  beast  of  an  unknown  species, 

hiiiiseir  by  the  rajiid  niovomcnts  he  iiiado.  and  by  tliu  wise;  measures  he  adi^pt 
ed  to  revon^o  tlio  Freiudi  blooil  wliich  bad  beou  sliod,  and  to  iirovent  the  ovil.s 
witli  wliich  abnost  all  the  posts  of  the  colony  were  tbrcatcncd. 

As  soon  as  be  was  ai)priscd  of  tins  un('X])cctcd  attack  by  the  Natclioz  In- 
dians, bo  caused  the  news  to  be  carried  to  all  the  posts,  and  oven  as  far  ns  the 
Illinois,  not  by  the  direct  and  ordinary  route  of  the  river,  which  was  closed,  but 
on  one  side  by  Natcliitoches  and  the  Akensas,  and  on  the  otlk'r  by  ^lobile  and 
the  Tcbicaebas.  Ho  invited  the  neighbors  who  were  our  allies,  and  particu- 
larly the  Tehactas,  to  avi'itgo  tliis  jx-rfidy.  lie  furnished  arms  iiml  ammunition 
to  all  tlie  houses  of  this  city  and  to  the  plantations.  He  caused  two  ships,  that 
is,  the  Piic  lie  liiiurhnii  anil  the  Alc.rinn/ir.  to  ascend  tlie  river  as  far  as  the 
ToniUas.  These  ships  were  like  two  good  fortresses  against  the  insults  of  the 
Indians  and  in  case  of  attack,  two  certain  asylums  for  th<,' women  and  children 
He  caused  a  ditcli  to  bo  dug  entirely  around  .'le  city  (New  Orleans),  and 
placed  guard-houses  at  the  four  extremities.  '  e  oi'iranized  for  its  (h'fencc 
many  companies  of  city  militia,  who  mounted  guard  during  the  whole  night. 
As  there  was  more  to  fear  in  the  grants  and  in  the  plantations  than  in  the  city, 
hefortilied  them  with  the  most  cai'e.  He  had  good  forts  I'rected  at  Chai)itou- 
las,  at  Cannes  brdles,  at  Alleniands,  at  Bayagoulas.  and  at  Puinte  Couih-o. 

At  first,  our  Governor,  listening  only  to  the  dictates  of  bis  own  courage, 
adopted  the  design  of  placing  himself  at  the  head  of  the  troops,  but  it  was  re- 
presented to  him.  that  he  ought  not  to  ([uit  New  Orleans,  where  his  presence  was 
absolutely  necessary,  that  there  was  (hiug(!r  of  the  Tehactas  deteriniidng  to  fall 
upon  the  city,  il"  it  should  be  deprived  of  its  troops;  and  the  negroes,  to  free 
themselves  from  slavery,  might  Join  them,  as  some  bad  done  with  the  Natchez. 
Moreover  he  could  teel  perfectly  easy  with  regard  to  the  conduct  of  the  troops. 
as  the  Chevalier  do  Louliois.  with  whose  experience  and  bravery  he  was  well 
actinaiuted.  had  been  appointed  to  command  them. 

Whilst  our  little  aruiy  was  repiiii-iiig  to  the  Touil;as,  seven  hundred  Tehac- 
tas mustered,  and  conducted  by  M.  le  Sueur,  marched  towards  .'ho  Nati 'lez. 
We  wore  informed  by  a  party  of  these  people,  that  the  Indians  were  hot  at  all 
on  their  guard,  but  jiassod  all  tlii.'ir  nights  in  dancing.  TlieTcliata--  took  them 
therefore  by  surprise,  and  made  a  descent  on  them  on  the  "JTib  of  January,  at 
the  break  of  day.  In  less  than  three  hours  they  had  delivered  lifty-nine  per- 
sons, both  wonu'n  and  chiMren.  with  the  tailor  and  carpenti'r,  and  one  luuilied 
and  six  negroes  or  negro  women  with  their  children;  they  made  eigliteen  of 
the  Natchez  prisoners  and  took  sixty  scali)s.  They  u(jidd  have  taken  more,  if 
they  hail  not  been  intent  on  freeing  the  slaves,  as  tliey  bad  been  directed. 
They  bad  but  two  men  killed  and  seven  or  eii,dit  wounded.  Tliey  encamped 
with  their  prizes  at  the  grant  of  .'st.  Catherine,  in  a  men'  park  enclosed  with 
stakes.  The  victory  woul<l  have  been  complete,  if  they  had  waited  the  arrival 
of  the  French  army,  as  had  been  agreed  upon  with  their  deputies. 

The  Natchez  seeing  themselves  attacked  by  the  formidable  Tehactas  re- 
garded their  defeat  as  certain,  and  shutting  themselves  up  in  two  i'orts,  jiassed 
the  following  nights  in  dancing  ♦heir  death-dance.    In  their  speeches  we  heard 


'I 

ill 


i  .^ 


'  '^i 


ih' 


w 


n 


ii 


i" 


11 


■i!- 


III!  It 


iri; 


m 

■ill  i:' 


.■'I 

ri 


Ml 


'I 


L'l' 


158 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


of  a  monstrous  size,  and  the  cry  of  which  rcsemhlcd  no  animal  tliat 
we  know.  Ilowovcr,  no  person  affirmed  that  he  had  seen  it,  and  thoy 
only  guessed  at  its  size  by  its  strength.     It  had  already  carried  off 

tlicm  reproaching  the  Tcliactas  for  tlieir  ])crfi(ly,  in  (Icclariiig  in  favor  of  the 
Fri'ncli,  contrary  to  the  pledge  tlicy  liad  i;:ivcn.  to  unite  with  tlicm  for  our  de- 
struction. 

Tio'ee  days  lieforo  this  action,  tlio  Sicur  Mcs])Iox  landed  at  tlio  Natclicz  with 
fiv(!  otlier  Frcnclinicn.  Tiiey  had  volunti'ci'cd  to  ^I.  dc  Louliois.  to  carry  to 
the  Indians  negotiations  for  i)('acc.  tiiat  they  might  lie  able  under  this  pretext 
to  gain  information  with  regard  to  their  force,  and  tlieir  prt'seut  situation.  But 
in  descending  from  thi'ir  boat  tlu'X'  enconntcrt'd  a  [larty.  who,  witlunil  giving 
them  time  to  speak,  killed  three  of  their  men.  and  made  the  other  three  pri- 
soners. Tlie  next  day  they  sent  oiu'  of  tiiese  iirisoners  with  a  letter,  in  which 
they  demandi'd  as  host.iges.  the  Sii'ur  liroutin.  who  had  formerly  been  com- 
maniU'r  among  tluMn.  and  the  (^liief  of  tlie  Tonikas.  Besides,  they  (Uiuanded 
as  the  ransom  for  tiie  women,  children,  and  slaves,  two  hundred  guns,  two  hun- 
dred barrels  of  jjowder,  two  hnndri'd  barrels  of  balls,  two  thousand  gun-llints, 
two  hmidred  knives,  two  hundred  hatchets,  two  hundred  jjickaxes,  live  hogs- 
heads of  brandy,  twenty  casks  of  wine,  twi'iity  barrels  of  vermilion,  two  hun- 
dred sh;i-:s,  twenty  i)ieces  of  lindjourg.  twenty  jiicces  of  cloth,  twenty  coats 
with  lace  on  the  seams,  twenty  hats  bordered  with  plumes,  and  a  hundred  coats 
of  a  plainer  kind.  Tlieir  design  was  to  massacre  the  Frtmch  wlio  should  bring 
these  goods.  On  the  very  same  day,  wilh  every  ri'linemcut  in  cruelty,  they 
burned  the  Sieur  Mesplcx  and  his  companion. 

On  the  8th  of  February,  the  French,  with  the  Tonikas.  and  some  other 
small  tiibes  from  the  lower  end  of  the  Mississippi,  arrived  at  the  Natchez,  and 
seized  their  temple  dedicated  to  the  sun. 

The  impatience  and  imi)ractibility  of  the  Tcliactas,  who  like  all  tlu'se  In- 
dians are  capable  of  only  striking  one  blow,  and  then  dis|)erse,  the  small  num- 
ber of  Fn'uch  soldiers  who  t'ound  themselves  worn  down  by  fatigues,  the  want 
of  provisions  which  the  Indians  stole  from  the  French,  the  tailure  of  ammu- 
nition with  which  they  were  not  able  to  satisfy  the  'JVhactas,  who  wasted  one 
part  of  it.  and  placed  the  other  in  ii'servc  to  be  used  in  hunting,  the  resistance 
of  the  Natchez  who  were  well  foriilieil,  and  who  fought  in  desperation,  all  these 
things  tlecided  us  to  listen  to  the  propositions  which  the  besieged  made,  after 
the  trenches  had  been  opened  for  seven  days.  Tlu'v  threatened,  if  we  jiersisted 
in  the  siege,  to  burn  tho.se  of  tin;  French  whi)  remained,  while  on  the  other 
hand,  they  oll'ered  to  restore  tlu'in,  it'  wc  would  withdraw  our  seven  pieces  of 
cannon.  These,  in  reality,  for  want  of  a  good  gunner,  and  under  present  cir- 
cumstances, were  scarcely  in  a  lit  stale  to  give  them  an\  fear. 

These  propositions  wen;  accepted,  and  fullilK'il  on  both  sides.  On  the  'J.olh 
of  February  the  besieged  faithfully  restored  all  that  they  had  lU'omised.  while 
the  besiegers  retired  with  tln'ir  camion  to  a  small  fort  which  they  had  hastily 
uiit  on  the  F,eors  nea.-  the  river,  for  the  purpose  of  always  keeping  the 
Natchez  in  check,  and  insuring  a  passage'  to  tiie  voyagers.  M.  Perrier  gave  the 
coniniand  of  it  to  .M.  D'.Vrtaguette,  as  an  acknowledgment  of  the  intrepidity 
with  which,  during  the  seige.  he  had  exposed  himself  to  the  greatest  dangei's, 
and  every  where  braved  death.     [The  Natchez  linally  fled  across  the  Missis- 


i 


^iH 


tlicse  lu- 
lall  imm- 
tlu"  wnut, 
iiiumu- 
ij,ti-'(l  Olio 
sistaiico 
all  those 
xdv.  al'UT 

liTsistUll 

ic  other 

JlitH'l'S  of 

vsuiit  cir- 


JOURNAL  OF  FATHER  CHARLEVOIX. 


159 


sonic  shcop  and  calves,  and  killed  some  cows.  I  said  to  those  who 
told  me  this  story,  that  a  mad  wolf  might  have  done  all  this ;  and  as 
to  the  cry,  people  were  mistaken  every  day.  I  could  bring  no  body 
to  be  of  my  opinion;  they  would  have  it  that  it  was  a  monstrous 
beast:  they  had  just  then  heard  it.  and  they  ran  cut  armed  with  the 
first  thing  they  could  find,  but  all  to  no  purpose. 

The  grant  of  the  company  is  still  more  advantageously  situated 
than  that  of  the  Maloins.  The  same  river  waters  both,  and  after- 
wards discharges  itself  into  the  Mississippi,  two  leagues  from  the 
grant  of  the  Maloins,  to  which  a  magnificent  cypress  wood,  of  sis 
leagues  extent,  makes  a  screen,  that  covers  all  the  back  parts.  To- 
bacco has  succeeded  very  well  here,  but  the  workmen  of  Clerac  arc 
almost  all  returned  to  France. 

I  saw  in  the  garden  of  the  Sieur  le  Noir.  chief  clerk,  very  fine  cot- 
ton on  the  tree,  and  a  little  lower  wc  begin  to  see  some  wild  Indigo. 
They  have  not  yet  made  a  trial  of  it ;  but  it  is  very  likely  that  it  will 
turn  out  as  well  as  that  they  found  in  the  island  of  St.  Domingo, 
which  is  as  much  esteemed  there  as  that  which  is  brought  from  other 
places.  And  furthermore,  experience  teaches  us  that  the  soil  which 
naturally  produces  Indigo,  is  very  fit  to  bear  any  foreign  sort  that 
one  chooses  to  sow  in  it. 

The  great  village  of  the  Natchez  is  at  present  reduce!'  to  a  very 
few  cabins.  The  reason  which  I  heard  for  it  is,  that  the  savages, 
from  whom  the  great  chief  has  a  right  to  take  all  they  have,  get  as 
far  from  him  as  they  can  ;  and  therefore  many  villages  of  this  nation 
have  been  formed  at  some  distance  from  this.  Tiie  Tioux,  their  al- 
lies and  ours,  have  also  settled  a  village  in  their  neighborhood. 

The  cabins  of  the  great  village  of  the  Natchez,  the  only  one  I  saw, 
are  in  the  shape  of  a  sipiare  pavilion,  very  low,  and  without  windows  ; 
the  top  is  rounded  much  like  an  oven :  the  greatest  part  are  covered 
with  the  leaves  and  stalks  of  maize ;  some  are  built  of  clay  mixed 
with  cut  straw,  which  seemed  to  me  to  be  tolerably  strong,  and  which 
were  covered  within  and  without  witli  very  thin  mats.  That  of  tlie 
great  chief  is  very  neatly  plastered  in  the  in.side  :  it  is  also  larger 
and  higher  than  the  rest,  ])laced  on  a  spot  something  elevated,  and 
stands  alone,  no  other  building  adjoining  to  it  on  any  side.  It  fronts 
the  north,  with  a  large  open  place  before  it,  which  is  not  of  the  most 

sippiand  iiitrt'iichcd  tln'iu.sclvcs  near  Riil  river;  tJicy  wciepiu'siu'd  by  the  French 
and  compelled  to  surrt'iider.  Tiieir  cliil(h'eii  and  women  were  reduced  to 
slavery;  .some  of  the  wariiois  fled  to  the  Chieaehas.  hut  the  (ileal  Sun  or  Clii(;f 
with  four  hunih'ed  |)risoiiers.  were  shipped  to  Cuba  and  .sold  as  slaves.  Thus 
perished  the  great  Natchez  nation.] 


i  ■" 


J 


I  '  ; 


■11 


lit!      H 


I  ■.!:■ 


■'■'^ 


'    t1 


fHi 


i^  * 


ILI 


160 


IlISTOKICAL    COLLECTIONS    or    LOUISIANA. 


regular  figure.  All  the  furniture  I  found  in  it  was  a  narrow  couch 
of  boards,  raised  about  two  or  tlireii  foot  from  the  ground.  I'robabl}' 
when  the  great  chief  wants  to  lie  down,  he  spreads  a  mat  upon  it,  or 
some  skin. 

There  was  not  a  soul  in  the  village  :  all  the  people  were  gone  to 
a  neighboring  village,  where  there  was  a  feast,  and  all  the  doors  were 
open;  but  there  was  nothing  to  fuar  from  thieves,  for  there  was  no- 
thing to  be  seen  any  where  but  the  bare  walls.  These  cabins  have 
no  vent  for  the  smoke,  nevertheless,  all  those  which  I  entered  were 
white  enough.  The  temple  is  very  iu;ar  tlio  great  chief's  cabin, 
turned  towards  the  east,  and  at  the  end  of  the  oj)en  place.  It  is 
composed  of  the  same  materials  as  the  cabins,  but  its  shape  is  dif- 
ferent; it  is  a  huig  square,  about  forty  feet  by  twenty  wide,  with  a 
common  roof,  in  shape  like  ours.  At  the  two  ends  there  is  to  ap- 
pearance like  two  weather-cocks  of  wood,  which  represent  very  indif- 
ferently two  eagles. 

The  door  is  in  the  midst  of  the  length  of  the  building,  which  has 
no  other  opening.  On  each  side  there  are  benches  of  stone.  The 
inside  answers  perfectly  this  rustic  outside.  'J'hreo  pieces  of  wood, 
which  touch  at  the  ends,  and  which  are  placed  in  a  triangle,  or 
rather  equally  distant  from  each  other,  take  up  almost  all  the  midst 
of  the  temple.  These  pieces  are  on  fire,  and  burn  slowly.  A  sa- 
vage, whom  they  call  the  keeper  of  the  temide,  is  obliged  to  tend  the 
fire,  and  prevent  its  going  out.  If  it  is  cold,  he  may  have  his  fire 
apart,  but  he  is  not  alh)wed  to  warm  himself  at  that  which  burns  in 
honor  of  the  Sun.  Tiiis  keeper  was  also  at  the  feast,  at  least  I  saw 
him  not ;  and  his  brands  made  sucli  a  smoke  that  it  blinded  us. 

As  to  ornaments,  I  saw  none,  nor  absolutely  any  thing  that  could 
make  me  know  that  I  was  in  a  temple.  I  saw  only  three  or  four 
chests  placed  irregularly,  in  which  there  were  sonic  dry  bones,  and 
upon  the  ground  some  wooden  heads,  a  little  better  wrought  than  the 
two  eagles  on  the  roof  In  short,  if  I  had  not  found  a  fire  here,  I 
should  have  thought  that  this  temple  had  been  a  long  time  aban- 
doned, or  that  it  had  been  plundered.  Those  cones  wrapped  up  in 
skins,  which  some  relations  speak  of;  those  bodies  of  the  chiefs 
ranged  in  a  circle  in  a  round  temple,  terminating  in  a  kind  of  dome; 
that  altar,  *S:c.  ;  I  saw  nothing  of  all  this.  If  things  were  thus  iu 
times  past,  they  are  very  much  changed  since. 

Perhaps  also,  for  we  ought  to  condemn  nobody,  but  when  there 
is  no  way  to  excuse  them  ;  perhaps,  I  say,  that  the  neighborhood  of 
the  French  made  the  Natchez  fear  that  the  bodies  of  their  chiefs,  and 
every  thing  that  was  most  precious  in  their  temple,  were  in  some  dan- 


J()|ilt\AI.    or    FATIJKK    CIIAUy.KVOlX. 


161 


gcr.  if  tlioy  did  not  convoy  tliem  tnanotlitT  place  ;  and  that  tli(>  little 
attention  tliey  liavc  at  jirosent  to  guard  tliis  temple,  proeceds  from 
its  being  deprived  of  wliut  it  contained  most  .sacred  in  tlie  opinion  of 
these  people.  It  is  true,  notwithstanding,  that  against  the  wall,  over 
against  the  door,  tliere  was  a  table,  the  dimensions  of  which  I  did 
not  taiio  the  pains  to  measure,  because  I  did  not  suspect  it  to  be  an 
altar.  I  have  been  assured  since,  that  it  is  three  feet  high,  live  long, 
and  four  wide. 

I  have  been  further  informed  that  they  make  a  little  fire  on  it  with 
the  bark  of  oak.  and  that  it  never  goes  out;  which  is  false,  for  there 
was  then  no  fire  on  it,  nor  any  appearance  of  there  ever  having  been 
any  made.  They  say  also,  that  four  old  men  lay  by  turns  in  the 
temple,  to  keep  in  this  fire;  that  he  who  is  on  duty,  must  not  go  out 
for  the  eight  days  of  his  watch  ;  that  they  carefully  take  the  burning 
ashes  of  the  pieces  that  burn  in  the  midst  of  the  temple,  to  put  upon 
the  altar;  that  twelve  men  are  kept  to  furnish  the  bark  ;  that  there 
are  marmosets  of  wood,  and  a  figure  of  a  rattle-snake  likewise  of 
wood,  which  they  set  upon  the  altar,  and  to  wliicli  they  pay  great 
honors.  That  when  the  chief  dies,  they  bury  him  directly;  tliat 
when  they  judge  his  flesh  is  consumed,  the  keeper  of  the  temple 
tcikes  the  bones  up.  washes  them  clean,  wraps  them  in  whatever  they 
have  most  valuable,  and  puts  them  in  great  baskets  made  of  canes, 
which  shut  very  close ;  that  he  covers  these  ba.'^kots  with  skins  of 
roebucks  very  neatly,  and  j)laces  them  before  the  altar,  where  they 
remain  till  the  death  of  the  reigning  chief:  that  then  ho  encloses 
these  bones  in  the  altar  itself  to  make  room  for  the  last  dead. 

I  can  say  nothing  on  tiiis  last  article,  only  that  I  saw  some  bmies 
in  one  or  two  chests,  but  they  made  not  half  a  luunan  body  ;  that 
they  appeared  to  be  very  old,  and  that  they  wore  not  on  the  table 
whicli  tliey  say  is  the  altar.  As  to  the  other  article,  first,  as  I  was 
in  the  temple  only  by  day,  I  know  mtt  what  passes  in  it  at  night ; 
second,  tliere  was  no  keeper  in  the  ten) pie  when  I  visited  it.  I  very 
well  saw,  as  I  said  before,  tliat  there  were  some  niarmosets  or  gro- 
tesque figures  ;  but  I  observed  no  figure  of  a  serpent. 

As  to  what  I  have  seen  in  some  relations,  that  this  temple  is  hung 
with  tapestry,  and  the  floor  covered  with  cane  mats ;  that  they  put 
in  it  Avhatcver  they  have  that  is  handsomest,  and  that  they  bring 
every  year  hither  the  first  fruits  of  their  harvest,  we  must  certainly 
abate  a  great  deal  of  all  this.  I  never  saw  any  thing  more  slovenly 
and  dirty,  nor  more  in  disorder.  The  billets  liurnt  upon  the  })are 
ground  ;  and  I  saw  no  mats  on  it,  no  more  than  the  walls.  31.  le 
Noir,  who  was  with  me,  only  told  me  that  every  day  they  put  a  new 


I'  if 


ill! 


<  "'r.  !:'1 


;^i 

i  1 

'i' 

f.- 

' 

\'. 

1      .  ■   t' 

1 

'1; 

:,ti 

" 

I 

-:ps. 


i  ^  ■';»,' 


fin 


.  ,j,..t.i..),;..^.;-.t«.-pY-,:--.,y>».»»~>»-...   --Fg 


i         I 

J 


t 


l>'    1 


iiir ; 


ill  -III  ..a? 


11 


lii^'l 


Hiii) 


ij 
'i 

:i 
I 
.1 


162 


IlIdTORICAL    COLIiECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


billot  on  the  fire,  and  tliat  at  tlio  ])e^iiinlng  of  every  moon  tlicy  made 
a  provision  for  the  whole  month.  Hut  he  knew  this  only  by  report ; 
for  it  was  the  first  time  he  had  seen  this  temple,  as  well  as  myself 

As  to  what  regards  the  nation  of  the  Natchez  in  general,  here 
follows  what  1  could  learn  of  it.  We  see  nothing  in  their  outward 
appearance  that  distinguishes  them  from  the  other  savages  of  Canada 
and  Louisiana.  They  seldom  make  war,  not  placing  their  glnry  in 
destroying  men.  What  distinguishes  them  more  particularly,  is  the 
form  of  their  Government,  entirely  despotic;  a  great  dependence, 
which  extends  even  to  a  kind  of  slavery,  in  the  subjects  ;  more  |iride 
and  grandeur  in  the  chiefs,  and  their  pacific  spirit,  which,  however, 
they  have  not  entirely  preserved  for  some  years  past. 

The  Ilurons  believe,  as  well  as  they,  that  their  hereditary  chiefs 
are  descended  from  the  Sun  :  but  there  is  not  one  that  would  be  his 
servant,  nor  follow  him  int(}  the  other  world  for  the  honor  of  serving 
him  there,  as  it  often  happens  among  the  Natchez. 

Garcilasso  do  la  Vega  speaks  of  this  nation  as  of  a  powerful 
people,  and  about  six  years  ago  they  reckoned  among  them  four  thou- 
sand warriors.  It  appears  that  they  were  more  numerous  in  the 
time  of  31.  de  la  Salle,  and  even  when  31  d'Iborville  discovered  the 
mouth  of  the  3Iississippi.  At  present  the  Natchez  cannot  raise  two 
thousand  fighting  men.  They  attribute  this  decrease  to  some  con- 
tagious diseases,  which  in  these  last  years  have  made  a  great  ravage 
among  them. 

The  (Jreat  Cliief  of  the  Natchez  bears  the  name  of  the  Sun  ;  and 
it  is  always,  as  among  the  Ilurons,  the  son  of  the  woman  who  is  near- 
est related  to  him,  that  succeeds  him.  They  give  this  woman  the 
title  of  Woman  Chief;  and  though  in  general  she  does  not  meddle 
with  the  Government,  they  pay  her  great  honors.  She  has  also,  as 
well  as  the  Great  Chief,  the  power  of  life  and  death.  As  soon  as  any 
one  has  had  the  misfortune  to  displease  cither  of  them,  they  order 
their  guards,  whom  they  call  AUouez,  to  kill  him.  "  Go  and  rid  me 
of  tliat  dog,"  say  they  ;  and  they  are  immediately  obeyed.  Their 
sulijects,  and  even  the  chiefs  of  the  villages,  never  approach  them, 
but  tliey  salute  them  three  times,  setting  up  a  cry,  which  is  a  kind 
of  howling.  Tliey  do  the  same  when  they  retire,  and  they  retire 
walking  backwards.  When  they  meet  them,  they  must  stop,  and 
range  themselves  on  both  sides  of  the  way,  and  make  the  same  cries 
till  tliey  are  gone  past.  Their  subjects  are  also  obliged  to  carry 
them  the  best  of  their  harvest,  and  of  their  hunting  and  fishing. 
Lastly,  no  person,  not  even  their  nearest  relations,  and  those  who 
are  of  noble  families,  when  they  have  the  honor  to  eat  with  them, 


I 


JOURNAL  OF  FATHER  CHARLEVOIX. 


163 


icy  made 
•  report ; 
n)si;lf. 
ral,  here 

outward 
f  Canada 

j^lory  in 
ly.  is  the 
loiuk'ncc, 
oro  ]iride 

however, 

iry  chiefs 
lUl  he  his 
f  serving 

powerful 
'our  tliou- 
19  in  the 
vered  the 
raiso  two 
some  c'on- 
at  ravage 


5un 


and 


0  isnear- 
onian  the 
t  meddle 

also,  as 
on  as  any 
oy  order 
id  rid  me 
Their 
ic'U  them, 
is  a  Icind 
ey  retire 
stop,  and 
anie  cries 
to  carry 

1  fisliing. 
lioso  who 
ith  them, 


have  a  riglit  to  put  their  haud  to  the  same  dish,  or  to  drink  out  of 
the  same  vessel. 

Every  morning,  as  soon  as  the  Sun  appears,  the  Great  Chief 
comi;s  to  tlie  door  of  his  cabin,  turns  himself  to  the  cast,  and  howls 
three  times,  bowing  down  to  the  cartli.  Then  they  bring  him  a  calu- 
met, which  serves  only  for  this  jmrposc,  he  smokes,  and  blows  the 
smoke  of  his  tobacco  towards  the  Sun;  then  he  does  the  same  thing 
towards  the  other  three  parts  of  the  world,  lie  acknowledges  uo 
superior  but  the  Sun,  from  which  he  pretends  to  derive  his  origin. 
He  exercises  an  unlimited  power  over  his  subjects,  can  dispose  of 
their  goods  and  lives,  and  for  whatever  labors  he  recjuires  of  thcra, 
they  cannot  demand  any  recompense. 

When  this  Great  Chief,  or  the  Woman  Chief  dies,  all  their 
Allouez,  or  guards,  are  obliged  to  follow  them  into  the  other  world ; 
but  they  are  not  the  only  persons  who  have  this  honor:  for  so  it  is 
reckoned  among  them,  and  is  greatly  souglit  after.  The  deatli  of  a 
chief  sometimes  costs  the  lives  of  more  than  a  hundred  per.sons  :  and 
I  have  been  assured  that  very  few  principal  persons  of  the  Xiit(;hez 
die,  without  being  escorted  to  the  country  of  souls  by  some  of  their 
relations,  their  friends,  or  their  servants.  It  appears  l)y  tiie  various 
relations  which  I  have  seen  of  these  horrible  ceremonies,  that  they 
differ  greatly.  I  shall  here  describe  the  obscijuies  of  a  Woman 
Chief,  as  I  had  it  from  a  traveller,  who  was  a  witness  of  them,  and 
on  whoso  sincerity  I  have  good  reason  to  depend. 

The  husband  of  this  woman  not  being  noble,  that  is  to  say.  of  the 
family  of  the  Great  Chief,  his  eldest  son  strangled  him,  according  to 
custom:  then  they  cleared  the  cabin  of  all  it  contained,  and  they 
erected  in  it  a  kind  of  triumphal  car,  in  which  the  body  of  the  de- 
ceased woman,  and  that  of  her  hu.'^band,  were  placed.  A  nioiiient 
after  they  ranged  round  these  carcasses  twelve  little  children,  wliich 
their  parents  had  strangled  by  order  of  the  eldest  daughter  of  the 
Woman  Chief,  and  who  succeeded  to  the  dignity  of  lier  mother. 
This  being  done,  they  erected  in  the  p\iblic  place  fourteen  scallblds, 
adorned  with  branches  of  trees,  and  cloths  on  which  they  had  painted 
various  figures.  These  scaffolds  were  designed  for  as  many  persons, 
who  were  to  accompany  the  Woman  Chief  into  the  otlier  world. 
Their  relations  were  all  round  them,  and  esteemed  as  a  great  honor 
for  their  families  the  permission  that  they  had  obtained  to  sacrifice 
themselves  in  this  manner.  They  apply  .sometimes  ten  years  before- 
hand to  obtain  this  favor;  and  the  persons  that  have  obtained  it, 
must  themselves  make  the  cord  with  which  they  are  to  be  straiiuled. 

They  appear  on  their  scaffolds  dressed  in  their  richest  habits, 


M 


i  I 


\;!^:'h 


-  'W 


Ihlli 


-rr:r^,-r^fr<,gf^- 


I-  y 


ICA 


IlIrtTORICAL    COMiECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


hoMiii^  ill  tlicir  rii^'lit  liiuid  ii  fjroat  slicll.  Tholr  nearest  relation  is 
on  tlicir  riij'lit  hand,  Iiaviiig  umler  tlieir  left  arm  the  cord  which  is  to 
serve  fur  the  execution,  and  in  thoir  right  hand  a  figlitin/,'  clnb. 
Fniiu  time  to  time  tlicir  nearest  relation  makes  the  cry  of  death  ; 
and  at  this  cry  the  fourteen  victims  descend  from  their  scaflfolds,  and 
go  and  dance  all  together  in  the  middle  of  the  open  place  that  is  be- 
fore the  temple,  and  Ix'fore  the  cabin  of  the  Woman  Chief. 

Tliut  day  and  the  following  ones  they  show  thorn  great  respect; 
they  have  each  five  servants,  and  their  faces  are  painted  red.  Some 
add.  that  during  the  eight  day.s  that  precede  their  death,  they  wear 
a  red  rilihoii  round  one  of  their  legs:  and  that  during  this  time, 
every  body  .><trives  who  shall  be  the  first  to  feast  them.  However 
that  may  be,  on  the  ocensiiui  I  am  speaking  of,  the  fathers  and 
mothers  who  had  strangled  their  children,  took  them  up  in  thoir 
hands  and  ranged  themselves  on  both  sides  the  cabin  ;  the  fourteen 
persons,  who  were  also  destined  to  die,  placed  themselves  in  the  same 
manner,  and  were  followed  by  the  relations  and  friends  of  the  de- 
ceased, all  in  mourning;  that  is  to  say,  their  liair  cut  off.  They  all 
made  the  air  resound  with  fucli  frightful  cries,  that  one  would  have 
said  that  all  the  devils  in  hell  were  come  to  howl  in  the  place.  This 
was  followed  by  the  dances  of  those  who  were  to  die,  and  by  the  songs 
of  the  relations  of  the  Woman  Chief. 

At  last  they  began  the  procession.  The  fathers  and  mothers  who 
carried  the  dead  children,  ajjpeared  the  first,  inarching  two  and  two, 
and  came  immediately  before  the  bier  on  which  was  the  body  of  the 
Woman  Chief,  which  four  men  carried  on  their  shoulders.  All  the 
others  came  after  in  the  same  order  as  the  first.  At  every  ten  paces, 
the  fathers  and  mothers  let  their  children  fall  upon  the  ground : 
those  who  carried  tin;  bier,  walked  upon  them,  then  turned  (juite 
round  them  ;  so  that  when  the  procession  arrived  at  the  temple,  these 
little  bodies  were  all  in  pieces. 

While  they  buried  the  body  of  the  Woman  Chief  in  the  temple, 
they  undressed  the  fourteen  persons  who  were  to  die.  They  made 
them  sit  on  the  ground  before  the  door,  each  having  two  savages  by 
liini ;  one  of  whom  sat  on  his  knees,  and  the  other  held  his  arms  be- 
hind. Then  they  put  a  cord  about  his  neck,  and  covered  his  head 
with  a  roebuck's  skin.  They  made  him  swallow  three  pills  of  to- 
bacco, and  drink  a  glass  of  water  :  and  the  relations  of  the  Woman 
Chief  drew  the  two  ends  of  tlie  cord,  singing,  till  he  was  strangled. 
After  wdiicli.  tliey  threw  all  the  carcasses  into  the  same  pit,  which 
they  covered  with  earth. 

When  the  Great  Chief  dies,  if  his  nurse  is  living,  she  must  die 


JOURNAL    OF    FATHER    Cll AKLF-VOIX. 


105 


•elation  is 
'liieh  is  to 
ting  club, 
of  doiitli ; 
fTolds,  ami 
lliat  is  bo- 

t  rcflpoct ; 
;tl.  Soino 
tiioy  wear 
tills  time, 

However 
tliers  and 
[)  in  tlieir 
e  fourteen 
n  the  same 
of  the  de- 

Tliey  all 
•ould  have 
ace.  This 
V  the  songs 

others  who 
and  two, 
ody  of  the 
All  the 
ten  paces, 
e  ground : 
nod  (juite 
nplc,  these 

le  temple, 
licy  made 

avagcs  by 
s  arms  be- 
i  his  head 
lills  of  to- 
le  "Woman 

strangled. 

pit,  which 

s  must  die 


also.  The  French  not  being  able  to  hinder  this  barbarity,  have  often 
obtained  leave  to  baptize  the  young  children  that  were  to  be  struiigKd  ; 
and  wlio  of  conse(juonce  did  not  accompany  tho.se,  in  whoso  honor 
they  were  sacrificed,  in  their  pretended  paradise. 

We  know  no  nation  on  this  continent,  wliero  the  female  .sex  are 
more  irregular,  than  in  this.  Tliey  are  even  forced  by  the  (Irtut 
Chief  and  his  subalterns  to  prostitute  themselves  to  all  comers:  and 
a  woman,  for  being  comnion,  is  not  the  less  esteemed.  Altlioiigh 
polygiimy  is  permitted,  and  the  number  of  women  they  may  liave  is 
unlimited,  commonly  each  has  only  one,  but  he  may  i)ut  her  away 
wlien  he  jdeases  ;  a  license  which  few  but  the  chiefs  make  u.st;  of 
Tlie  women  are  [)retty  well  shaped  for  savages,  and  neat  enough  in 
their  dress,  and  every  thing  they  do.  Tlie  daughters  of  the  noblo 
families  can  marry  none  but  obscure  persons ;  but  they  have  a  right 
to  turn  away  their  husbands  wlien  they  please,  and  to  take  anotlier, 
provided  tliere  is  no  relationsliip  between  them. 

If  their  husbands  are  unfaitliful  to  them,  they  can  order  them  to 
be  knocked  on  the  head,  but  they  are  not  subject  to  the  same  law 
themselves.  Tiiey  may  also  have  as  many  gallants  as  they  think  fit, 
and  the  liusband  is  not  to  take  it  amis.s.  Tliis  is  a  privik!g(i  belong- 
ing to  the  blood  of  the  (Ireat  Cliief  Tlie  husband  of  any  one  of 
these  must  stand  in  the  presence  of  his  wife  in  a  respectful  posture ; 
he  docs  not  eat  with  her ;  he  salutes  her  in  the  same  tone  as  her  do- 
mestics. The  only  privilege  which  such  a  burthensome  alliance  pro- 
cures him,  is  to  bo  exempt  from  labor,  and  to  have  authority  over 
those  who  serve  his  wife. 

The  Natchez  have  two  war  chiefs,  two  masters  of  the  ceremonies 
for  the  temple,  two  officers  to  regulate  what  is  done  in  treaties  of 
peace  or  war,  one  that  has  the  inspection  of  works,  and  four  others 
who  are  employed  to  order  every  thing  in  the  public  feasts.  It  is 
the  Croat  Cliief  who  appoints  per.sons  to  these  offices,  and  those  who 
hold  theni  are  respected  and  obeyed  as  he  would  be  himself  The 
harvest  among  the  Natchez  is  in  common.  The  Oreat  Chief  sets  the 
day  for  it,  and  calls  the  village  together.  Towards  the  end  of  July 
he  appoints  another  day  for  the  beginning  of  a  festival,  which  lasts 
three  days,  which  are  spent  in  sports  and  feasting. 

Each  private  person  contributes  something  of  his  hunting,  his 
fishing,  and  his  other  provisions,  which  consist  in  maize,  beans,  and 
melons.  The  Great  Cliief  and  the  Woman  Cliief  preside  at  the  feast, 
sitting  in  a  cabin  raised  above  the  ground,  and  covered  with  boughs  : 
they  are  carried  to  it  in  a  litter,  and  the  Great  Chief  holds  in  his 
band  a  kind  of  sceptre,  adorned  with  feathers  of  various  colors.     All 


kl' :::':!■:! 


1 11 


If. 


"*'  :  (I 


' 


!(    I 


166 


llIHTORICAIi    ('OLLECTIONd    OF    I.OUIdlANA. 


tlie  iioldi'S  arc  round  him  in  a  rospoctfiil  posturo.  The  Inst  day  the 
(Jrt'jit  CMiiuf  niaki.'S  a  .siicccli  to  thu  assoiiihly,  IIo  exhorts  every 
body  to  bo  oxiict  in  the  performaiico  of  their  duties,  especially  to 
iiuve  a  ^reat  vinieration  for  the  spirits  whieh  reside  in  the  t(!inple,  and 
to  he  oiircfiil  in  instrueting  their  eliildren.  If  any  one  has  distin- 
guished Iiiiiiself  liy  s(jiiie  aetioii  of  note,  he  makes  his  elo^'iuin. 
Twenty  years  ago,  the  tcmi)Ie  was  reduced  to  aslies  by  li;^htniiig. 
Seven  or  eight  women  tlirew  their  eliildren  into  the  midst  of  tho 
flames  to  appease  the  Genii.  The  (Jreat  Chief  immediately  sent  for 
these  heroines,  gave  them  puldicdy  great  praises,  and  finished  his  dis- 
course liy  e.KJiorting  the  other  women  to  follow   their  great  cxami)lo 


on  a  liUe  oeeasion 
rr 


The  fathers  of  families  never  fail  to  bring  to  the  temple  the  first 
fruits  of  every  thing  tliey  gather ;  and  they  do  tho  same  by  all  tho 
presents  that  are  made  to  tlie  nation.  They  expo.se  them  at  the  door 
of  the  temple,  the  keeper  of  whieh,  after  having  presented  them  to 
the  spirits,  carries  them  to  the  Great  (Jhief,  who  distributes  them  to 
whom  he  pleases.  The  seeds  are  in  like  manner  offered  before  the 
temple  with  great  ceremony  ;  but  the  offerings  whieh  are  made  there 
of  bread  and  flour  every  new  moon,  are  for  the  use  of  tho  keepers  of 
the  temple. 

The  marriages  of  the  Natchez,  arc  very  little  different  from  those 
of  the  savages  of  Canada.  The  principal  difference  we  find  in  them 
consists  in  that  here  the  future  spouse  begins  by  making,  to  the  rela- 
tions of  the  woman,  such  presents  as  have  been  agreed  upon  ;  and 
that  the  wedding  is  followed  by  a  great  feast.  The  reason  why  there 
are  few  but  the  chiefs  who  have  several  wives,  is,  that  as  they  can  get 
their  fields  cultivated  by  the  ])eo[)le  without  any  charge,  their  wives 
are  no  burthen  to  them.  The  chiefs  marry  with  less  ceremony  still 
than  the  others.  It  is  enough  for  them  to  give  notice  to  the  rela- 
tions of  the  woman  on  whom  they  have  cast  their  eyes,  that  they 
place  her  in  the  number  of  their  wives.  But  they  keep  but  one  or 
two  in  their  cabins ;  the  others  remain  with  their  relations,  where 
their  husbands  visit  them  when  they  please.  No  jealousy  reigns  in 
these  iiiarriiiges.  The  Natchez  lend  one  another  their  wives  without 
any  difliculty  :  and  it  is  probably  from  hence  that  proceeds  the  rea- 
diness with  which  they  part  with  them  to  take  others. 

When  a  war  chief  wants  to  levy  a  party  of  soldiers,  he  plants,  in 
a  place  marked  out  for  that  purpose,  two  trees  adorned  with  feathers, 
arrows,  and  fighting-clubs,  all  painted  red,  as  well  as  the  trees,  which 
are  also  pricked  on  that  side  which  is  towards  the  place  whither  they 
intend  to  carry  the  ^rar.     Those  who  would  enlist,  present  themselves 


! 


JfJUIlNA!.    or    J'ATMKIl    t'H AlU.KVdlX. 


If 


M 


9t  (lay  tlio 
irts  ovory 
lociiiUy  to 
•iiiplo.  and 
las  ilistin- 

liglitiiitig. 
(1st  of  tho 
ly  sent  for 
ed  liis  dis- 
t  cxiiuiido 

lie  the  first 
!  hy  all  the 
at  the  door 
ed  thom  to 
tcs  them  to 

before  the 
made  there 

keepers  of 

from  those 
id  in  them 
to  the  rcla- 


upon  ; 


and 


why  there 
ey  can  get 
leir  wives 
mony  still 
the  rcla- 
that  they 
jut  one  or 
ions,  where 
y  reigns  in 
k'es  without 
ds  the  rea- 

0  plants,  in 
th  feathers, 
;rees,  which 
hither  they 
themselves 


to  the  chief,  well  tlrtMscil,  their  fiiccs  smciirtMl  with  various  colors,  siml 
declare  to  him  the  desire  they  iiavo  to  learn  the  art  of  war  under  his 
orders;  that  tliey  are  disposed  to  endure  all  the  fatigues  of  war, 
and  ready  to  die,  if  needful,  for  then  country. 

AVIieii  the  Chief  has  got  tho  nuinher  of  soldiers  thiit  tho  expedi- 
tion reijuires,  wliich  he  intends  to  make,  he  causes  a  drink  fo  he  pre- 
pared at  his  cabin,  which  is  called  the  medicine  of  war  This  is  a 
vomit  made  with  a  root  boiled  in  water.  'J'hey  give  to  each  num 
two  pots  of  it,  whi(!h  they  must  drink  all  at  once,  and  wiiich  tlioy 
throw  up  again  almost  as  soon  as  they  have  drank  it,  with  most 
violent  retchings.  Afterwards  they  labor  in  making  the  necessary 
prejiarations  ;  and  till  the  day  settliHl  for  their  departure,  the  war- 
riors meet  every  evening  and  morning  in  an  open  place,  where  after 
much  dancing,  and  telling  their  great  feats  of  war,  every  one  sings 
his  song  of  death.  These  people  are  not  less  superstitious  about 
their  dreams,  than  the  savages  of  (.'anada;  there  needs  only  a  bad 
omen  to  cause  them  to  return  when  they  are  on  a  march. 

The  warriors  nnirch  with  a  great  deal  of  order,  and  take  great 
precautions  to  encamp,  and  to  rally.  They  often  send  out  scouts, 
but  they  never  set  sentinels  at  night.  'I'liey  put  out  all  the 
fires,  they  recommend  tliemsidves  to  the  spirits,  and  they  sleep  in  se- 
curity, after  the  chief  has  exhorted  every  one  not  to  snore  too  loud, 
and  to  keep  always  their  arms  near  them  in  good  condition.  Their 
idols  are  exposed  on  a  p(de  leaning  towards  tlie  enemy,  and  all  tho 
warriors,  before  they  lay  down,  pass  one  after  anotlier,  with  their 
fighting-clubs  in  their  hands,  before  these  pretended  deities:  then 
they  turn  towards  the  enemy's  countr}',  and  make  great  threatenings, 
which  the  wind  often  carries  another  way. 

It  does  not  appear  that  the  Natchez  exorcise  on  their  prisoners, 
during  tho  jMarch,  the  cruelties  which  are  used  in  Canada.  When 
these  wretches  are  arrived  at  the  great  village,  thoy  nndvc  them  sing 
and  dance  several  days  together  before  the  temple,  after  which,  they  are 
delivered  to  the  relations  of  those  who  have  been  killed  during  the  cam- 
paign. They,  on  receiving  thein,  burst  into  tears,  then  after  having 
wiped  their  eyes  with  the  scalps  whieli  the  warriors  have  brought 
homo,  they  join  together  to  reward  those  who  have  made  them  the 
present  of  their  captives,  whose  fate  is  always  to  be  burnt. 

The  warriors  change  their  names  as  often  as  they  perform  new 
exploits.  They  receive  them  from  the  ancient  war  chief,  and  these 
names  have  always  some  relation  to  the  action  by  which  they  have 
merited  this  distinction.  Those  who  for  the  first  time  have  made  a 
pri.soncr,  or  taken  off  a  scalp,  must,  for  a  month,  abstain  from  seeing 


p 

m 


{ 


i: 


'   ¥ 


W"i 


168 


IIISTOIUOAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


tlicir  wives,  and  from  eating  flesli.  They  iiiiagine.  that  if  they  should 
fall  ill  this,  tlie  souls  of  those  whom  they  have  killed  or  burnt,  would 
ciTect  their  death,  or  that  the  first  wound  they  should  receive  would  be 
mortal ;  or  at  least,  that  they  should  never  after  gain  any  advantage 
over  their  enemies.  If  the  'jreat  ('Iiief,  called  the  Sun,  commands 
his  suljjects  in  jierson,  they  take  great  care  that  he  should  not  expose 
himself  too  much  ;  less  perhaps  througii  zeal  for  his  preservation, 
than  bvicausc  the  other  war  chiefs,  and  the  heads  of  the  party,  would 
be  put  to  death  for  their  want  of  Ciire  in  guarding  him. 

The  jugglers  or  doctors  of  the  Natchez,  pretty  much  resemble 
those  of  Canada,  and  treat  their  patients  much  after  the  same  man- 
ner. They  are  well  paid  when  the  [latient  recovers  ;  but  if  he  hap- 
pens to  die,  it  often  costs  them  their  lives.  There  is  in  his  nation 
another  set  cf  jugglers,  who  run  no  less  risk  than  these  doctors. 
They  arc  certain  lazy  old  fellows,  who,  to  maintain  their  families 
without  being  obliged  to  work,  undertake  to  procure  rain,  or  fine 
weather,  according  as  they  arc  wanted.  About  the  spring  time  they 
make  a  collection  to  buy  of  these  pretended  magicians  a  favorable 
season  for  the  fruits  of  the  earth.  If  it  is  rain  they  require,  they 
fill  their  mouth  with  water,  and  with  a  reed,  the  end  of  which  is 
pierced  with  several  holes,  like  a  funnel,  they  blow  into  the  air,  to- 
wards the  side  where  they  perceive  some  clouds,  whilst  holding  their 
chichicoue  in  one  hand,  and  their  manitou  in  the  other,  they  play 
upon  one,  and  hold  the  other  up  in  the  air,  inviting,  by  frightful  cries, 
the  clouds  to  water  the  fields  of  those  who  have  set  them  to  work. 

If  the  business  is  to  obtain  fine  weather,  they  mount  on  the  roof 
of  Jieir  cabins,  make  signs  to  the  clouds  to  pass  away  ;  and  if  the 
clouds  pass  away,  and  are  dispersed,  they  dance  and  sing  round  about 
their  idols ;  then  they  swallow  the  smoke  of  tobacco,  and  present 
their  calumets  to  the  sky.  All  the  time  these  operations  last,  they 
observe  a  strict  fast,  and  do  nothing  but  dance  and  sing.  If  they 
obtain  what  they  have  promised,  they  are  well  re\/arded  ;  if  they  do 
not  succeed,  they  are  put  to  death  without  mercy.  But  they  are  not 
the  same  who  undertake  to  procure  rain  and  fine  weather  ;  the  genius 
of  one  person  cannot,  as  they  say,  give  both. 

Mourning  among  these  savages  consists  in  cutting  off  their  hair, 
and  in  not  painting  their  faces,  and  in  absenting  themselves  from 
public  assemblies  :  but  I  know  not  how  long  it  lasts.  I  know  not 
either,  whether  they  celebrate  the  grand  festival  of  the  dead,  which 
I  have  before  described.  It  appears  as  if  in  this  nation,  where  every 
body  is  in  some  sort  the  slave  of  those  who  command,  all  the  honors 
of  the  dead  are  for  those  who  do  so,  especially  for  the  Great  Chief 
and  the  Woman  Chief 


JOURNAL  OF  FATHER  CHARLEVOIX. 


1G9 


;y  should 
[it.  would 
would  be 
dvantagc 
amuiiinds 
ot expose 
iei'Viition, 
ty,  would 

resemble 
amo  iiian- 
f  he  liup- 
lis  nation 
3  doctors. 
r  fuiuilies 
1.  or  fine 
time  tliey 
favorable 
uire,  they 
f  which  is 
he  air,  to- 
ding  their 
they  play 
tful  cries, 
0  work, 
n  the  roof 
nd  if  the 
und  about 
d  present 
last,  they 
If  they 
if  they  do 
ey  are  not 
the  genius 

their  hair, 
jlves  from 
know  not 
uad,  wliich 
here  every 
tlie  honors 
reat  Chief 


Treaties  of  peace  and  alliances  are  made  with  great  pomp,  and  the 
Great  Chief  on  these  occasions  always  supports  his  dignity  like  a  true 
sovereign.  As  soon  as  he  is  informed  of  tiiu  day  of  the  arrival  of 
the  ambassadors,  he  gives  his  orders  to  the  nuistcrs  of  the  cereniouies. 
for  the  preparations  of  their  reception,  and  names  tho.'^e  who  are  by 
turns  to  maintain  these  envoys:  for  it  is  at  the  cost  of  his  sul)jects 
that  he  defrays  the  expenses  of  tlio  embassage.  Tlie  day  uf  the 
entry  of  the  ambassadors,  every  one  has  his  place  assigned  him  ac- 
cording to  his  rank;  and  when  the  ambassadors  arc  come  within  hvc 
hundred  paces  of  the  Great  Cliief,  tliey  stop,  and  sing  the  song  of 
peace. 

Commonly  the  embassy  is  composed  of  thirty  men  and  six  wo- 
men. Six  of  the  best  voices  march  at  the  head  of  this  train  and 
sing  aloud,  the  rest  follow,  and  thechiehicoue  serves  to  regulate  the 
time.  When  the  Great  Cliief  makes  signs  to  the  ambassadors  to  ap- 
proach, they  renew  their  march  ;  those  who  carry  the  calumet,  danco 
as  they  sing,  and  turn  tl;emselves  on  every  side,  with  many  mutions. 
and  make  a  great  many  grimaces  and  contortions.  They  renew  the 
same  tricks  round  about  the  Great  Chief  when  they  are  come  near 
him  ;  then  they  rub  him  with  their  calumet  from  head  to  fout,  and 
afterwards  go  and  rejoin  tiieir  company. 

Then  they  fill  a  calumet  with  tobacco,  and  holding  fire  in  one 
hnnd,  they  advance  all  together  towards  the  Great  Chief,  and  present 
him  the  calumet  lighted.  They  smoke  with  him,  and  blow  towards 
the  sky  the  first  whitf  of  their  tobacco,  the  second  towards  tlie  earth, 
and  the  third  round  about  the  horizon.  When  they  have  done  this, 
they  present  their  calumets  to  tlie  relations  of  tlic  Great  Chief,  and 
the  subaltern  chiefs.  Then  they  go  and  rub  with  their  hands  the 
stomach  of  the  Great  Chief,  after  whicii  they  rub  themselves  all  over 
the  body ;  and  lastly,  they  lay  their  calumets  on  forks  over  against 
the  Great  Chief,  and  the  orator  of  the  embas.sy  begins  his  speech, 
which  lasts  an  hour. 

When  he  has  finished,  they  make  signs  to  the  ambassadors,  who 
till  now  were  standing,  ti  sit  down  on  benches  placed  for  them  near 
the  Great  Chief,  who  answers  their  discourse,  and  speaks  also  a  whole 
hour.  Then  a  master  of  the  ceremonies  lights  a  great  calumet  of 
peace,  and  makes  the  ambassadors  smoke  in  it,  who  swallow  the  first 
mouthful.  Then  the  Great  Chief  ini^uircs  after  their  health,  and  all 
those  who  are  present  at  the  audience  make  them  the  same  compli- 
ment ;  tlien  they  conduct  them  to  the  cabin  that  is  appointed  for 
them,  and  where  they  give  him  a  great  feast.  The  evening  of  the 
same  day  the  Great  Chief  makes  them  a  visit ;  but  when  they  know 
11 


I!  iii^ 

m 


m 


V\\\ 


is- 

m 

K 

■ft  ■ 
:| 


i  :! 


170 


riisTORicAL  coi,r,i:cTio;\.s  of  Louisiana 


he  is  remly  to  do  tlioiu  this  lioiinr.  tlicy  go  to  seek  him,  ami  carry 
hiin  on  their  sliouhlers  to  llioir  hiilixing.  ami  make  Iiiiu  sit  on  a  great 
Bkiii.  One  of  them  ]ihiees  himself  behinJ  him,  leans  his  hamls  on 
his  slinuMers.  and  shakes  liiin  a  pretty  long  time,  whilst  the  rest,  sit- 
ting ronnd  on  the  earth,  sing  their  great  aetions  in  the  wars. 

These  visits  are  renewed  every  morning  and  evening:  Init  in  the 
last  the  ceremonial  varies.  Tlie  aiiil'''^sadors  set  up  a  post  in  the 
midst  of  their  cabin,  and  sit  all  round  i  .  Tlie  warriors  who  accom- 
pany the  (Jreat  Chief.  <ir  as  they  call  hii  i.  the  Sun,  dressed  in  their 
finest  robes,  dance,  and  one  by  one  strike  the  post,  and  relate  their 
bravest  feats  of  arms;  after  which  they  niidce  presents  to  tlu;  ambas- 
sadors. The  next  day  they  are  permitted  for  the  first  time  to  Avalk 
aliout  the  village,  and  every  night  they  make  them  entertainments, 
wdiich  consist  only  in  dances.  When  they  are  on  their  departure,  the 
master  of  the  ceremonies  supplies  them  with  all  the  precisions  they 
may  want  for  their  journey,  and  this  is  always  at  the  expense  of  pri- 
vate persons. 

Tlie  greatest  part  of  the  nations  of  Louisiana  had  formerly  their 
temples,  as  well  as  the  \atchez.  and  in  all  these  temples  tluie  was  a 
perpetual  fire.  It  seems  also  jtrobable,  that  the  Maubileans  had  over 
all  the  people  of  this  part  of  Florida,  a  kind  of  primacy  of  religion  ; 
for  it  was  at  their  lire  they  were  obliged  to  kindle  tiiat.  wliich  by 
negligence  or  accident  had  Ijeen  suffered  to  go  out.  ]>ut  at  ]iresent 
the  t(.'mple  of  the  Natchez  is  the  only  one  that  subsists,  and  it  is 
held  in  great  veneration  among  all  the  savages  wdiich  inhabit  this 
vast  continent,  the  decrease  of  which  nation  is  as  considerable,  and 
has  been  still  more  sudden,  than  that  of  the  savages  of  Canada, 
witliout  its  being  jiossibh;  to  discover  tlie  truu  cause  of  it.  Whole 
nations  have  entirely  disappeared  within  forty  years  at  most.  Those 
■which  are  still  subsisting,  are  but  the  siiadow  of  wdiat  tliey  were 
when  M.  de  la  Salle  discovered  this  country.  I  take  my  leave  of 
you.  madam,  for  reasons  which  I  shall  have  the  honor  to  explain  to 
you  soon. 


Isr.w  Oiu.EAN-s,  January  10,  17112. 

I  am  at  length  arrived  in  this  famous  city,  which  they  have  called 

la  NoKirUc  OrlnniK.     Those  who  have  gi\ en  it  this   name,  thought 

that  Orleans  was  of  the  feminine  gender;   but  what   si;rui(ies  that? 

Custom  has  established  it,  and  that  is  above  the  rules  of  (jramiuar. 


li 


JOURNAL    OF    FATIir.U    CHAUM'.VOIX. 


171 


Til  is  city  is  the  first,  which  one  of  tho^n-ctitcst  rivors  in  the  worhl  has 
seen  r;iistMl  on  its  hanks.  If  tlic  ciirht  hiuKh'cil  linn  houses,  ami  the 
fivo  )i:irisli(\s.  wliich  tliu  ne\vspa)i('rs  irave  it  soiiio  two  years  atro.  are 
rediieeil  at  iiresent  to  a  humlred  barracks,  placed  in  no  very  ,qrcat 
order  :  to  a  great  storehouse,  built  of  wood  ;  tu  two  or  thrco  houses, 
which  wiiuld  be  no  ornament  tu  a  village  of  France;  and  to  the  half 
of  a  sorry  storehouse,  which  they  agreed  to  lend  to  the  lord  of  the 
place,  and  which  he  had  no  sooner  taken  possession  of.  but  they  turned 
him  out  to  dwell  under  a  tent ;  what  plcasiire,  on  the  other  side,  to 
see  insensibly  increasing  this  future  capital  of  a  fine  and  vast  coun- 
tr\'.  and  to  be  able  to  say.  not  with  a  sigh.  lik(!  tli(>  hero  of  A'irgil, 
speaking  of  his  dear  native  place  cunsunied  by  the  fiames.  and  the  fields 
wiun-e  the  city  of  Tro}'  had  been,*  but  full  of  a  well-grounded  hope,  this 
wihl  and  desert  jilaco.  whicli  tin!  reeds  and  trees  do  yet  almost  wholly 
cover,  will  be  one  day.  and  ]ierliaps  that  day  is  not  i'ar  oif.au  djiulent 
city,  and  the  inetro[)olis  of  a  great  and  ricii  c(d(>ny. 

You  will  ask  me.  nnidaui.  on  what  I  found  this  hope?  I  found  it 
on  the  situation  of  tliis  <;ity,  at  tliirty-tliree  leagues  *'roia  the  sea.  and 
on  the  side  of  a  navigable  river,  that  one  may  conio  up  to  this  place 
?n  twenty-four  hours  :  on  the  fruitfulness  of  the  soil;  on  the  mild- 
ness and  goodness  of  its  climate,  in  :i(H  nortli  hititude  ;  on  the  in- 
dustry of  its  iulial)itants;  on  the  neighborhood  of  Mexico,  to  which 
we  may  go  in  fifteen  days  by  sea  ;  on  that  of  the  Havana,  whicli  is 
still  nearer ;  and  of  the  finest  islands  of  America,  and  of  the  Hng- 
lish  colonies.  Need  there  anything  more  to  render  a  city  llourish- 
insr?  Home  and  Paris  had  not  such  C(msiderable  beiiinninirs.  were 
not  built  under  such  happy  auspices,  and  their  founders  did  not  fiuw 
on  tlie  Seine  ami  the  Ty'ier  the  advantages  we  have  f mud  on  the 
^lississippi.  in  comparison  of  wliich.  those  two  rivers  are  but  little 
brooks,  l)ut  before  I  undertaK'c  to  nieiition  what  there  is  lu.'re  wor- 
thy your  curiosity,  tliat  I  may  proceed  according  to  order.  I  ,'^hal!  take 
up  my  journal  again  where  I  broke  it  off. 

T  stayed  at  the  Natchez  iimk^Ii  longer  tiian  T  expected,  and  it  was 
the  ai  (iidoned  condition  in  wlpcli  T  fuiml  tlic  I'rcnch,  witli  respect 
to  spiritual  aids,  that  kept  me  there  till  after  Cliristmas.  The  dew  of 
Leaven  hath  nut  yet  fallen  on  this  fine  country,  whieii  above  all  others 
may  boast  of  its  portiori  of  the  fatness  of  the  earth.  The  late  M. 
d'Iberville  had  destined  a  Jesuitf  for  this  ]iuriiose.  who  accompanied 
liim  in  the  second  voyage  he  made  to  {.(uiisinna.  with  a  design  to  es- 
tablish Christianity  in  a  nation,  whose  cunversiou.  lie  made  no  doubt) 


'U  i 
n"  1 


llii'^i^ 


*  Et  CampoH,  uM  Troja  t'liit.    t  Father  I'aul  du  Ru. 


^/i^!BlBlK;;^r'^>6,ifc*igri*to^a5':i 


i.l^A^tthaHl^*t^imm,-. 


U  ;l 


|1 


r 


Hil 


172 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


would  bo  followdl  by  tliat  of  all  tlio  rest.  But  this  missionary  pass- 
ing' by  tlio  village  of  the  13ayagoulas,  thought  he  found  there  more 
favorable  dispositions  for  religion,  and  while  ho  was  thinking  to  fix 
bis  abode  smiongst  them,  he  was  called  to  France  by  superior  orders. 

After  this,  an  ecclesiastic  of  Canada  *  was  sent  to  the  Natchez, 
and  remained  there  a  pretty  long  time,  but  ho  made  no  proselytes, 
though  he  had  gained  the  good  graces  of  the  Woman  Chief,  who  out 
of  respect  to  him,  gave  his  name  to  one  of  her  sons.  This  mission- 
ary having  been  obliged  to  make  a  journey  to  Maubilo,  was  killed  on 
the  way  by  savages,  who  probably  only  wanted  his  baggage,  as  it  had 
happened  before  to  another  priostf  on  the  side  of  the  Arkansas.  Since 
that  time  all  Louisiana,  above  the  Illinois,  has  remained  without  any 
priest,  except  the  Tonicas,  who  have  had  for  several  years  an  eccle- 
siasticj,  whom  they  loved  and  esteemed,  and  whom  they  would  have 
made  their  Chief,  and  who,  notwithstanding,  could  never  persuade 
one  of  them  to  embrace  Christianity. 

lint  it  is  something  preposterous  to  think  of  taking  measures 
for  the  conversion  of  infidels,  whilst  the  household  even  of  the  faith 
are  almost  all  without  pastors.  I  have  already  had  the  honor  of 
telling  you,  madam,  that  the  canton  of  the  Natchez  is  the  most 
populous  of  the  colony  ;  ncverthless.  it  is  five  years  since  any  French- 
man has  heard  mass  here,  or  even  seen  a  priest.  I  soon  saw  that 
the  privation  of  the  sacraments  had  produced  in  the  greatest  part  of 
them  that  indifference  for  the  exercises  of  religion^  which  is  the  com- 
mon effect  of  such  privation,  yet  many  showed  a  great  desire  to  take 
advantage  of  my  presence,  for  regulating  the  affairs  of  their  con- 
scicMices  ;  and  I  thought  it  was  my  duty  to  help  them  to  this  comfort 
without  much  solicitation. 

The  first  proposal  that  they  made  to  me  was,  that  I  would  agree 
to  marry  in  the  presence  of  the  church,  some  inhabitants,  who  by 
virtue  of  a  civil  C(jntract,  drawn  up  in  the  presence  of  the  command- 
ant and  the  principal  clerk,  lived  together  without  any  scruple, 
alleging,  as  well  as  tlicy  who  had  authorized  this  concubinage,  the 
necessity  of  peopling  the  country,  and  the  impossibility  of  having  a 
priest.  I  represented  to  them,  that  tliere  was  one  at  the  Yasous, 
and  at  New  Orleans,  and  that  tiic  matter  was  worth  the  pains  of 
taking  the  journey.  They  replied  tliat  the  contracting  parties  were 
not  in  a  condition  to  take  long  journeys,  nor  to  be  at  the  expense  of 
bringing  a  priest  hither.  In  short,  the  evil  was  done,  and  there  re- 
mained nothing  but  to  remedy  it,  which  I  did.     Then  I  confessed  all 

*  M.  do  S.  Cosme.    f  M,  Foucault.    ^  M.  Davion. 


ir 


JOURNAL  OF  FAT  lER  CHARLEVOIX. 


173 


who  presented  themselves,  but  the  number  of  these  was  not  so  great 
as  I  bad  hoped. 

Nothing  more  detaining  mc  at  tlio  Natchez.  I  departed  from 
thence  the  2Gth  of  December,  pretty  Late,  accompanied  by  ]M.  de 
Paugcr,  the  King's  engineer,  who  was  visiting  the  colony  to  examine 
the  places  where  it  was  fit  to  build  forts.  "\Vo  went  four  leagues, 
and  encamped  at  the  side  of  a  little  river,  which  we  found  on  the 
left.  Wo  re-embarked  the  next  day  two  hours  before  it  was  light, 
with  the  wind  pretty  high  and  against  us.  Tiie  river  in  this  place 
makes  a  circuit  of  fourteen  leagues ;  and  as  we  turned,  the  wind 
turned  with  us,  being  beaten  buck  by  the  land,  and  by  the  islands, 
whicli  we  found  in  great  numbers,  so  tluit  it  was  always  in  our  faces. 
Notwithstanding  which,  we  went  ten  leagues  farther,  and  entered 
into  another  little  river  on  the  left  hand.  All  niglit  we  heard  a  great 
noise,  and  I  thought  it  was  the  elleet  of  the  wind  that  was  grown 
stronger  ;  but  they  assured  me  that  the  river  had  been  very  ([uiet.  and 
that  the  noise  wliicli  had  waked  me  was  made  by  tlie  alligators  that 
dashed  about  the  water  with  their  tails. 

The  ^Sth,  after  having  gone  two  leagues,  wo  arrived  at  the  river 
of  the  Tonicas,  which  appeared  to  me  at  first  to  be  but  a  brook  :  but 
at  a  musket-shot  distance  from  its  mouth,  it  forms  a  very  pretty  lake. 
If  the  Mississippi  continues  to  throw  itself  as  it  does  on  the  othei 
side,  all  this  place  will  become  inaccessible.  The  river  of  the  Tonicas 
has  its  source  in  the  country  of  the  Tcliact  .3.  and  its  course  is  very 
mucli  obstructed  witli  falls.  The  village  is  beyond  the  lake,  on  a 
pretty  high  ground,  3'et  they  say  tliat  the  air  here  is  bad.  which  they 
attriljute  to  tlie  (juality  of  the  waters  of  the  river:  but  I  should 
rather  judge  that  it  proceeds  from  the  stagnation  of  the  waters  in 
the  lake.  This  village  is  built  in  a  circle,  round  a  very  large  open 
space,  without  any  inclosure,  and  moderately  pe(i]ded. 

The  cabin  of  the  chief  is  very  much  adorned  on  the  outside  for 
the  cabin  of  a  savage.  We  see  on  it  some  figures  in  relievo,  wliich 
are  not  so  ill  done  as  one  expects  to  iiml  them.  The  in.-ide  is  dark, 
and  I  observed  nothing  in  it  but  some  boxes,  which  they  assured  me 
were  full  of  clothes  and  money.  The  chief  received  us  very  politely  ; 
he  was  dressed  in  the  Frencli  fashion,  and  seemed  to  be  not  at  all 
unea.sy  in  that  habit.  Of  all  the  savages  of  Canada,  there  is  none  so 
much  depended  on  by  our  commandants  as  this  chief  lie  loves  our 
nation,  and  has  no  cause  to  repent  of  the  services  he  has  rendered  it. 
He  trades  with  the  I'rench,  whom  ho  supplies  with  horses  and  fowls, 
and  he  understands  his  trade  very  well.  He  has  learned  of  us  to 
hoard  up  money,  and  he  is  reckoned  very  rich.     He  has  a  long  time 


lii;: 


" 


t. 


i. 


^ 


7f 


■il'  '   % 


k«:: 


17-1 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    01'    LOUISIANA. 


left  off  the  dress  of  a  savage,  and  lie  tukcs  a  pride  in   appearing  al- 
ways well  dressed,  aeeording  to  our  mode. 

Tlie  other  cabins  of  the  vilhige  are  partly  square,  as  that  of  the 
chief,  and  partly  round,  like  those  of  tiie  Natchez.  The  place  round 
wiii<'h  they  all  stand,  is  about  a  hundii.d  paces  diameter,  and  not- 
witlistanding  the  heat  of  the  weather  was  tliat  day  sullbcatiiig.  the 
young  people  were  diverting  themselves  at  a  kind  of  truck,  muck 
like  ours. 

There  are  two  other  villages  of  this  nation  at  a  little  distance 
from  this  ;  and  tliis  is  all  tliat  remains  of  a  people  formerly  very 
numerous.  I  said  before  tliat  they  had  a  mis,sionary  whom  they 
greatly  loved;  T  have  learned  that  they  drove  liim  away  not  long 
since,  because  he  had  burnt  their  temple,  wliicih  nevertlieless  tliey 
have  not  rebuilt,  nor  lighted  their  lire  again;  a  certain  proof  of  tlieir 
little  attacliment  to  their  false  religion  !  They  even  soon  recalled 
the  missionary;  but  they  heard  all  he  could  say  to  them  with  an  in- 
difl'erencc,  which  ho  could  never  conipier.  and  he  has  forsaken  them 
iu  his  turn. 

From  the  bottom  of  the  lake,  or  the  bay  of  the  Tonicas,  if  we 
used  canoes  of  bark,  we  might  make  a  portage  of  two  Iciigues,  which 
would  save  ten  on  the  Mississijipi ;  but  tliis  is  not  practicable  with 
pettiaugres.  Two  leagues  lower  than  the  river  of  the  Tonicas,  wc 
leave  on  the  rigiit  hand  the  lied  river  or  Ivio  Colorado  ;  at  the  en- 
trance of  which,  the  famous  Ferdinand  do  Soto,  the  con(jUeror  of 
Florida,  ended  his  days  and  his  exploits,  or  rather  his  rambles.  This 
river  runs  cast  and  west  some  time,  then  turns  to  the  south.  It  is 
scarcely  navigable  for  pettiaugres,  and  that  for  no  more  than  forty 
leagues;  after  which  we  nuiet  with  impassable  nmrshes.  Its  mouth 
appeared  to  me  to  be  about  two  hundred  fathom  wide.  Ten  leagues 
higher,  it  receives  on  the  right  hand  the  Black  river,  otherwise  called 
the  river  of  the  Ouatchitas  :  which  comes  from  the  north,  and  has 
water  only  for  seven  ininths  in  the  year. 

Nevertheless,  there  i  re  several  grants  situated  here,  which  in  all 
appearance  will  nut  grow  very  rich.  The  motive  of  this  settlement 
is  the  neighborhood  of  the  Spaniards,  which  at  all  times  has  been  a 
fatal  enticement  to  this  colony.  In  hopes  of  trading  with  tliem,  they 
leave  the  best  lands  in  the  world  uncultivated.  The  Natchitoches 
are  settled  on  the  lied  river,  and  we  have  judged  it  convenient  to 
build  a  fort  among  them,  to  hinder  the  Spaniards  from  settling  nearer 
us.  We  encamped  the  20th,  a  little  below  the  mouth  of  the  lied 
river,  in  a  very  fine  bay. 

The  oOth,  after  having  gone  five  leagues,  wc  passed  a  second  point 


•If 


JOURNATi    OF    I'ATIIKR    CIIAIU.KVOIX. 


175 


cut  off.  Tlio  ]Mi.ssis8i]ipi,  in  tliis  plueo,  iiKikcs  a  ^reat  wiiuliiig. 
Soiiio  Canadiiiiis.  by  dint  of  Iidllowiiig  a  little  brook,  which  was  be- 
himl  till.'  |Miiiit.  brouirht  the  waters  of  the  river  into  it :  which  sjiread- 
i)ig  thcuiselvcs  impetuously  in  this  new  channel,  conipletely  cut  off 
the  point,  and  hath  saved  travellers  fnurteen  leagues  of  way.  The 
old  bed  of  ihe  river  is  actually  dry,  and  has  no  water  in  it  but  in 
the  season  of  the  Hoods  :  an  evident  proof  that  the  Mississippi  casts 
itself  here  towards  the  east;  and  this  deserves  to  be  considered  with 
the  greatest  attention,  in  making  settlements  on  either  side  of  the 
river.  The  depth  of  this  new  ch.anTicl  has  been  lately  sounded,  and 
they  have  let  out  a  line  in  it  of  thirty  fathom  long,  without  finding 
any  bottom. 

Just  lielow,  and  on  the  same  hand,  we  saw  the  weak  beginnings 
of  a  grant,  which  bears  the  name  of  St.  ]Ieyne,  and  at  the  head  of 
which  are  Messrs.  de  Ooetlogon  and  Kolli.  It  is  situated  on  a  very 
fertile  <oil,  and  there  is  nothing  to  fear  from  the  overilowing  of  the 
river  :  l)ut  with  nothing,  nothing  can  be  done,  especially  when  they 
want  ni(;n  for  labor,  and  men  want  an  iiieliiiatiou  for  labor;  and  this 
seemed  tn  us  to  be  the  condition  of  this  grant.  We  went  a  league 
further  this  day,  and  came  to  the  grant  of  3Iadam  do  JMezieres, 
whore  the  rain  stopped  us  all  the  i.ext  day.  Some  huts  covered  with 
the  leaves  of  the  lattanier  and  a  great  tent  of  cloth  at  present  furni 
all  this  grant.  They  wait  tor  men  and  goods  from  the  JJl.ick  river, 
where  the  magazines  are.  and  which  they  are  not  willing  to  leave.  I 
am  afraid  that  by  endeavoring  to  make  two  settlements  at  once,  both 
will  fail. 

The  soil  on  which  they  have  begun  this,  is  very  good  ;  but  they 
must  build  a  (juarter  of  a  league  from  the  river,  behind  a  cypress 
wood,  which  is  a  marshy  ground,  and  of  which  they  might  nnike  ad- 
vantage in  sowing  rice  and  making  gardens.  Two  leagues  furtlno-  in 
the  wood,  there  is  a  lake  two  leagues  in  comp.-iss,  the  sides  cf  which 
are  covered,  with  wild  fowl,  and  which  piu'haps  may  supply  theui  with 
fish,  when  tliey  have  destroyed  the  caimans,  which  swaria  in  it  I 
have  learn*^  'n  this  place  some  secrets,  which  you  shall  have,  madam. 
at  the  same  rate  they  cost  me,  for  I  have  no  time  to  make  trial  of 
them. 

The  male  cypress  bears  in  this  country  a  pod.  which  niii.st  be 
gathered  green,  and  then  tliey  find  it  a  sovereign  balm  for  cuts. 
That  which  is  distilled  from  the  copalme,  has,  among  other  virtues, 
that  of  curing  the  drop.'^y.  The  root  of  those  great  cotton  trees  I 
mentioned  in  another  place,  and  which  we  find  continually  on  all  the 
route  which  1  have  made  from  the  lake  Ontario,  is  a  certain  remedy 


V**li., 


.i 


Ii  1 


i'l 


176 


IIISTOniCAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    L0UI3IAN^\. 


ii,( 


11.  !l 


■^ 


^v 


against  all  hurts  of  tlic  skin.  You  must  take  the  inside  of  the 
bark,  boil  it  in  water,  bathe  the  wound  with  this  water,  and  then  lay 
on  the  ashes  of  the  bark  itself. 

On  New-Year's  day  wo  went  to  say  mass  three  leagues  from 
Madam  do  Mczieres,  in  a  grant  very  well  situated,  and  wiiidi  be- 
longs to  M.  Uiron  d'Artaguettc,  Inspector-General  of  the  troojis  of 
Louisiana.*  They  brought  us  here  a  monstrous  tortoise,  and  they 
assured  us  that  these  aniiiiiils  were  capable  of  breaking  a  large  iron 
bar.  If  the  fact  is  true,  for  I  should  be  willing  to  see  it  bcfoi'e 
I  believe  it,  the  saliva  of  these  animals  must  be  a  very  powerful 
dissolvent.  As  for  tlie  leg  of  a  man,  I  would  not  trust  it  in  their 
jaws.  This  is  certain,  tliat  the  meat  of  that  which  I  saw,  was  enough 
to  satisfy  ten  persons  who  had  good  stomachs.  AYe  staid  all  the  day 
in  this  grant,  which  is  not  nmch  forwarder  than  the  rest,  and  which 
they  call  la  Baton  llougt!  (the  red  stick). 

The  next  day  wo  made  eleven  leagues,  and  wo  encamped  a  little 
below  the  IJayagoulas,  which  we  had  left  on  the  right  hand,  after 
having  visited  here  the  ruins  of  the  ancient  village  I  mentioned  be- 
fore. It  was  very  populous  about  twenty  years  since.  The  sm.all- 
pox  has  destroyed  a  part  of  its  inhabitants,  the  rest  are  gone  awuy 
and  dispersed.  They  have  not  so  nnich  as  even  heard  any  news  of 
them  for  several  years,  and  it  is  a  doubt  wliether  there  is  a  single 
family  remaining.  The  land  they  possessed  is  very  rich.  Messrs. 
Paris  have  a  grant  here,  where  they  have  planted  in  rows  a  great 
number  of  white  mulberry  trees,  and  they  make  very  fine  silk  here 
already.  They  also  begin  to  cultivate  here,  with  much  success,  indigo 
and  tobacco.  If  they  labored  the  sartie  in  all  other  places,  the  pro- 
prietors of  grants  would  soon  be  indemnified  for  all  their  expenses. 

The  od  of  January  we  arrived  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning 
at  the  little  village  of  the  Oumas,  which  is  on  the  left,  and  where 
there  are  some  French  houses.  A  quarter  of  a  league  higher  up  in 
the  country  is  the  great  village.  This  nation  is  very  well  affected  to 
us.  The  Mississippi  begins  to  fork  or  to  divide  into  two  branches, 
two  leagues  higher.  It  has  hollowed  itself  on  the  right,  to  which  it 
always  inclines,  a  channel,  which  they  call  the  fork  of  the  Chctimachas 
or  Sitimachas ;  and  which,  before  it  carries  its  waters  to  the  sea, 
forms  a  pretty  large  lake.  The  nation  of  the  Chctimachas,  is  almost 
entirely  destroyed  ;  the  few  that  remain  are  slaves  in  the  cubiuy. 

AVe  went  that  day  six  leagues  beyond  the  Oumas,  and  tve  passed 
the  night  on  the  fine  spot  where  they  had  settled  the  grant  of  M.  le 

*  He  died  the  Kiiijj'.s  LicutcDiuit  at  Cape  Fraiiyoi.s,  in  St.  Domingo. 


JOURNAL    OF    FATHrU    CIIAIILEVOIX. 


177 


iiulij'O 


where 

■  up  in 
Icted  to 

inches, 
Ihich  it 
bmchas 

ho  sea, 
hilniost 

hiassed 
M.  le 


]\rarquis  D'Anconis,  at  present  Duke  do  Botliunc  ;  whieh,  by  a  firo 
happening  in  the  groat  magazine,  and  by  several  other  aceidonts,  one 
after  anotiior,  is  reduced  to  nothing.  The  Cohipissas  had  hero  formed 
a  litth'  vilhigo,  whieh  did  not  subsist  hnig. 

The  4th  wo  arrived  before  noon  at  the  groat  village  nf  the  Cola- 
pissas.  It  is  the  finest  vilhigo  of  Loui.siana,  yet  they  reckon  in  it  but 
two  liundred  warriors,  who  liave  the  oharaeter  of  being  very  brave. 
Tlieir  oal)ins  are  in  the  shape  of  a  pavilion,  like  those  of  the  Sioux, 
and  they  sehloni  make  any  fire  in  them.  They  liave  a  double  roof; 
that  in  the  inside  is  made  of  the;  loaves  of  the  lattanior,  interwoven 
togetlier,  that  in  the  outside  is  made  of  mats. 

Tlie  caliin  of  tlio  chief  is  thirty-six  foot  diameter:  I  had  not 
before  seen  one  so  large;  for  that  of  the  great  chicd"  of  tlio  Xatohez 
is  but  tliirty  foot.  As  soon  as  we  appeareil  in  siglit  of  tliis  village, 
they  boat  a  drum  ;  and  wo  were  scarcely  landed,  before  the  cliief 
sent  his  compliments  to  mo.  I  was  surprised,  in  advancing  towards 
the  village,  to  see  the  drummer  dressed  in  a  long  gown,  half  wliite 
and  half  red.  with  white  sleeves  on  llie  ri'd  side  and  red  sleeves  on 
tlio  white.  1  iutpiirod  into  the  origin  of  tliis  custom,  and  they  told 
nie  it  was  not  ancient :  that  a  Governor  of  Louisiana  had  made  !i 
present  of  a  drum  to  these  savages,  who  have  always  been  our  faitli- 
ful  allies,  and  that  this  kind  of  beadle's  habit  was  their  own  invention. 
*  *  The  women  are  bettor  sliaped  here  than  in  Canada,  and  tlieir  way 
of  dressing  themselves  is  also  somothiiiif  more  bocomini,'. 

After  dinner  we  went  five  leagues  further,  and  wo  stopped  at 
Cannes  brulees  (the  burnt  reeds),  where  the  grant  of  M.  lo  Comte 
d'Artaguiere  has  an  habitation  on  it,  which  is  also  to  serve  him  for  a 
store-house,  if  it  has  not  the  fate  of  almost  all  the  rest.  Tliis  house 
is  on  the  left ;  and  the  first  object  that  presented  itself  to  my  sight 
was  a  great  cross  set  up  on  the  bank  of  tlie  river,  about  which  they 
actually  sing  vespers.  This  is  the  first  place  of  the  colony,  from  the 
Illinois,  where  I  found  this  mark  of  our  religion.  Two  mou,<(iuetaircs, 
M3I.  d'Artiguiere  and  do  IJenac,  are  the  directors  of  this  grant;  and 
it  wa«  AI.  do  Bonac  who  had  the  direction  of  the  house  of  Cannes 
brulees,  together  with  M.  Chevalier,  nephew  to  the  master  of  the 
mathematics  to  the  king's  pages.  They  have  no  priest,  but  it  is  not 
their  fault:  they  had  one  whom  they  wore  obliged  to  get  rid  of.  be- 
cause he  was  a  drunkard  ;  and  they  judged  rightly,  that  a  bad  priest 
is  likely  to  do  more  harm  in  a  new  settlement,  where  ho  has  no  supe- 
rior that  watches  over  his  conduct,  than  his  services  are  worth. 

IJetweon  the  Colapissas  and  the  (Jannes  brulees,  wo  leave  on  the 
right  hand  the  spot  which  was  formerly  possessed  by  the   Taousas, 


:;iV 


i 


Willi  ■ 


i  I 


178 


iirsTouK'Ar,  rfti.i.rci'ioNs  or  i,nt:isiAV.\. 


who,  ill  till'  (iiiK!  of  M.  do  lii  S;ill(\  made  :i  grcit  rn,'iirt!  in  tliis  coun- 
try, but  who  Ikivo  oiitiroly  ilisa|)|i('aroil  fur  houio  years.  This  is  tho 
finest  place!  and  tlio  Iti.'st  soil  of  Ij  misiaiiii,  iM.  (lt>  Mcuse.  to  whom 
it  was  ;.'rant((l.  has  dono  iiotliini;  hen;  yet:  nuverthuless  he  keeps 
here  a  director,  who  has  neither  men  nor  merchandise. 

On  the  ."ith  we  stopped  to  dine  at  a  phico  wiiich  they  call  tho 
Chapitonlas,  and  which  is  li'it  three  liairues  distant  from  New  Or- 
IcaiLS,  where  we  arrived  at  five  in  the  evening.  The  ('hapitnulas,  and 
sonic  neiglilioriiijr  haliitatioiis.  are  in  a  ver}'  good  condition.  Tiio 
soil  is  frnitfnl,  and  it  is  fallen  into  the  hands  of  people  tliat  are  .-kilfiil 
and  lahori  "s.  Thoy  are  the  Sieur  du  IJreuil  and  tlir(!e  (Canadian 
brothers,  nameil  (,'hauvins.  The  last  have  contributed  nothing  but 
th(;ir  industry,  which  was  perfected  by  the  necessity  of  laboring  for  a 
subsistence.  They  have  lost  no  time,  they  liave  spared  no  pains,  and 
their  e.xauiple  is  a  lesson  for  tlio.>it'  lazy  peopU;  whose  p(jverty  very 
unju.'<lly  disparages  a  country  which  which  will  render  a  hundred- 
fold of  whatever  is  sowed  in  it. 


r;  "< 


UVl 


Torr.oi-sK  Isr.AS-n.  oit  La  nM.:.-^!;. 
(Tlic  Buoy,  or  Sea  Ahuk.)  .faniuny  •jr.   1722. 

Tho  environs  of  New  Orleans  have  nothing  very  remarkable.  I 
did  not  find  this  city  so  well  situatisd  as  I  had  been  told.  Others 
arc  not  of  the  same  opinion.  These  are  the  reasons  on  which  their 
opinion  is  founded  :  I  will  afterwards  explain  mine.  Tiie  first  is, 
that  about  a  league  from  hence,  inclining  to  the  northeast,  they  have 
found  a  little  river,  which  they  have  called  the  IJayouc  of  St.  John,* 
which  at  th(!  eml  of  two  leagues  discharges  itself  into  the  lake  I'ontchar- 
train,  which  communicates  with  the  sea;  l)y  this  means,  they  say,  it 
is  easy  to  keep  up  a  certain  commerce  between  the  capital  and  la 
Maubile.  l>iloxi,  and  all  the  other  posts  which  we  possess  near  the 
sea.  The  second  is,  that  below  this  city  the  river  makes  a  great 
turn,  which  they  have  called  le  Detour  aux  Anglois  (the  English 
Reach),  which  may  cause  a  retardment,  which  they  judge  very  advan- 
tageous to  prevent  a  surprise.  These  reasons  are  specious,  but  they 
don't  appear  to  me  to  be  solid ;  for  in  the  first  place,  those  who  have 
reasoned  in  this  manner,  have  supposed  that  the  entrance  of  the 
river  could  receive  none  but  sm.all  vessels;  therefore  in  this  case, 


*  Bayouc  in  tho  Indian  language  signiQcs  a  rivulet. 


JOUKNAI-    nl'    rATllini    CirAllLEVOlX. 


179 


(•()\in- 
s  tlio 
whom 

11  the 
w  Or- 
is, Jiiul 
The 
skilful 
uadiiiu 
iig  but 
ig  for  a 
lus.  and 
:y  vi'vy 
uudruil- 


iil.le.     I 
Otliors 
ell   their 
llr.st  is, 
ley  hiivo 
.  John,* 
(intehiir- 
y  say,  it 
I  and  la 
near  the 
ii   great 
English 
y  advan- 
i)ut  they 
,vli()  have 
e   of  the 
his  case, 


wliat  is  tliere  in  ho  feared  from  a  surprise,  if  tins  town  is  ever  so  lit- 
tle fiuiillrd.  as  I  su]i|ii)se  in  my  turn  it  will  bo  S(»on  .'  ^\'ill  they 
come  til  atlacU  it  with  boats,  or  with  vessels  which  eannut  earry 
guns'  On  the  other  hand,  in  whatever  jihieo  the  eity  is  situated, 
must  not  the  moutli  of  tiie  river  bo  didV'uded  by  good  batteries,  and 
by  a  fort,  wdiich  will  at  least  give  tiiiu!  to  receive  intcdligence.  and  to 
keeji  themxdves  ready  to  roecive  the  enemy  ?  In  the  scenml  jdaeo, 
what  not'OHsity  is  there  for  this  coiumunieation,  which  eainiof,  ho  car- 
ried on  but  by  boats,  and  with  jiosts,  whieh  they  cinnot  sueeor  if 
they  were  ;ittaeked  ;  and  from  wddeh  conseiiueiitly  they  can  reeoivo 
but  weak  succors,  which  for  the  most  part  are  good  for  nothing;  I 
add.  tliat  wheu  a  V(,'sscl  must  go  up  the  Kugli.sh  IJeaeli.  t!iey  must 
change  thi'ir  wind  every  moment,  wliieh  may  detain  tln-ni  wdiolo 
weeks  to  make  seven  (n*  eight  leagues. 

A  little  lielow  New  Orleans  t'.ui  land  begins  to  have  Imt  little 
de]itii  uu  both  sides  of  the  Mississippi,  and  this  goes  on  diminishing 
quite  to  the  sea.  Tt  is  a  ]ioint  of  land,  which  docs  not  appear  very 
ancient:  foi' if  we  dig  ever  so  little  in  it,  we  find  water;  and  the 
number  of  shoals  and  little  islands,  which  wo  have  seen  formeil  with- 
in twenty  years  ]iast  in  all  the  mouths  of  the  river,  leave  no  room  to 
doubt  that  this  slip  of  land  was  formed  in  the  same  manmr.  It  ap- 
pears certain,  that  when  -^I.  de  hi  Halle  came  down  the  Mississippi 
quite  to  the  sea.  the  nu)Uth  of  this  river  was  not  the  same  as  it  is  at 
present. 

The  more  we  a]i]iroach  the  sea,  the  more  what  I  say  appears  evi- 
dent: the  bar  has  scarce  any  water  in  the  greatest  part  of  those  little 
outlets,  whicdi  the  river  has  opened  for  itself,  and  which  are  so  much 
increaseil  only  by  the  means  of  the  trees,  which  are  brought  down  with 
the  current,  one  of  which  being  stopped  by  its  branches,  or  by  its 
roots,  in  a  place  where  there  is  little  depth,  stops  a  thousand  others. 
I  have  seen  heaps  of  those  two  hundred  leagues  from  hence,  one  of 
which  alone  would  have  filled  all  the  wood-yards  of  Paris.  Nothing 
is  capable  of  removing  them,  tlie  mud  wduch  the  river  brings  down 
serves  them  for  a  cement,  and  covers  them  by  degrees ;  every  inun- 
dation leaves  a  new  layer,  and  in  ten  years  at  most  the  reeds  and 
shrubs  begin  to  grow  upon  tliem.  Thus  have  been  formed  the  greatest 
part  of  the  points  and  islands,  which  make  the  river  so  often  change 
its  course. 

I  have  nothing  to  add  to  what  I  have  said  in  the  bosinning  of  the 
former  letter  concerning  the  present  state  of  New  Orleans.*     The 

*  The  follow  inf;  is  a  list  of  tiie  lirst  inluibitants  to  wlinni  lots  were  as^ipjicd 
for  buil'liiig  iiurposes  iu  tiie  City  of  New  Orleans,  includiiiL:  tliose  apiirnpriateil 


r      '1^ 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

Wr.BSTER,N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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180 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONg    OP    LOUISIANA. 


1 1  [' 

if.ri 


Ml 


im 


truest  idea  that  you  can  form  of  it,  is  to  represent  to  yourself  two 
hundred  persons  tliat  arc  sent  to  buiUl  a  city,  and  wlio  are  encMinped 
on  the  side  of  a  great  river,  where  they  have  thouglit  of  nothing  but 

'"or  pul)lic  unrjiosos.  The  miniluTs  (l('sig;iiat('  <lio  lots  t1iu3  occiipicil  in  each 
s'luarc.  accnnliii^  to  tlic  jilaii  oC  tin;  rity  made  liy  M.  Hroiitiii  in  IT-*^.  Ttu'ro 
a]ii)i'ars.  lidwcvcr,  to  liavr  hciii  two  plans  of  tiio  ciiy,  vi/.,  tlio  one  liy  .M,  ilc  la 
Tuiir.  anil  tin;  otlirr  two  y4'ars  after  liy  .M.  <!(•  Paiij^er,  dated  ITll'i  wjiieli  was 
probably  the  same  afterwards  signed  by  M.  Hinutin.  J\I.  de  Pauger  was  one  of 
the  royal  eiigiiu'ers  eniii!oyr(l  by  the  Wisii'rn  Coni[iariy.  who  armmpa- 
nieil  Father  CJiarlmoix  in  his  tiavcls  through  the  eountry  in  17-1  an(l 
17-2.  Neithi'r  Diiinont  imr  l)u  Prat/,  has  fixed  the  precise  period  at  wliiili  the 
city  was  laid  ont,  bnt  it  may  Ik;  itiferred  (tliouirh  the  order  was  given  in  1717) 
from  the  r<;marksof  the  former,  that  it  was  in  tlie  year  171H.  In  his  Mnidircs 
Hislnriijiifs  Sur  la  Liniisiinir,  a  translation  of  whieh  will  soon  appi'ar  in  tho 
fourth  Volume  of  the  Historieal  Collictiims.  he  s.iys.  "  The'commandi  r  M.  do 
Bienvillo,  remaining  alone  at  OM  Hiloxi  with  his  troops  and  the  ollieers  of  tho 
company,  thonght  of  jirocuring  in  the  country  for  the  colony  a  more  tixed  and 
more  solid  establishment  than  any  which  had  been  formed  up  to  this  ]H-rio(l. 
With  this  view  he  selected  a  si)ot  situated  about  thirty  leagues  above  tho 
mouth  of  the  ^Mississippi  river,  and  sent  M.  de  la  Tour,  tho  chief  of  the  engi- 
neers, thither  with  orders  to  sideet  in  this  canton  a  situation  for  a  city  worthy  of 
becoming  the  ca]iital,  and  the  source  from  whence  all  the  other  plantations 
which  were  about  b(;ii:g  formed,  might  have  recoui'so  and  receive  supplies. 
As  soon  as  M.  de  la  Tour  arrived  on  the  sjKit,  which  then  consisted  of  a  (i.'W  in- 
considerable plantations  scattered  here  and  there,  and  which  ha<l  been  enllivated 
by  C('iii/i:riirf  who  had  come  from  the  Illinois,  he  caused  t(j  be  made  along  tho 
rii'er  a  clearing  of  sullicient  extent  to  enable  him  to  carry  hi.s  inteiKh  ■!  jilan 
into  e.xecutioi),  Afterwanls,  with  the  aid  of  jii'/iimrs.  ho  traced  the  >treets 
and  S(iuares  which  were  to  compose  the  new  city,  and  made  known  to  all  who 
desired  lot.s  or  places  to  build  on.  to  ])resent  tlieir  apidication  to  the  Coiuicil. 
Each  inhabitant  who  presented  himself  reci'ivcd  ten  toises  (sixty  feet  French 
measure)  ti(.)nt  by  twenty  toi,^cs  in  depth  ;  and  as  I'ach  square  was  lii'ty  toises 
square,  it  is  easy  to  conceive  tliat  each  sipiare  contained  twelve  inhabitants,  of 
which  two  lots  in  the  middli'  had  ten  toi,'-es  front  by  twenty-five  toix's  in  depth. 
It  was  orilered  that  all  who  should  obtain  these  building  lots  ('w/'/(/'''W''/(5) 
should  be  obliged  to  inclose  them  with  a  jiicUet  fence,  and  leave  all  around  an 
empty  space,  three  feet  wide,  for  the  construction  of  drains  to  carry  oil'  tho 
waters  of  the  river  in  the  season  of  its  ovi'rllow,  M.  de  la  Tour  tlioii-ht  him- 
self not  only  obliged  to  order  these  canals  or  ditches  whieh  connniuiieate  with 
each  other,  from  scpiare  to  scpiare.  but  he  caused  likewise,  in  order  to  preserve 
tho  city  from  inundation,  to  be  erected  in  front  of  it,  and  close  to  a  small  ele- 
vation which  leads  to  tiio  river,  a  dyke  or  levi-e  of  earth,  at  the  foot  of  which 
he  caused  to  be  excavati'd  a  similar  drain."  ^l.  le  Page  du  Prat/,  says,  •  that 
when  he  arrived  in  Louisiana,  in  171S,  New  Ork'ans  oidy  existed  in  name, 
and  that  ,M,  de  Hienville  had  gone  to  the  -Mississippi  to  lay  out  a  city,  and  that 
ho  nturnid  to  l)aui)liin  Island  after  he  had  landed  tliere.  That  M.  v  ■  IJien- 
ville  had  made  choice  ol'this  spot,  because,  of  all  others,  it  was  the  most  suita- 
ble and  most  convenient  place  to  commuiiieate,  eitiier  by  tho  river  or  by  tho 


JOURNAL    OF    FATHKR    CHARLEVOIX. 


ISl 


self  two 
icampcd 
iiing  but 

,1  in  each 
^.  Tlioro 
V  M.  <U'  la 

kVhicll  WHS 
^VllS  oUl!  Ot" 

juv'iiiii'a- 
IT'Jl    ami 
wliiili  the 
■11  ill  1717) 
s  M'lniiircs 
tv.w  ill  tho 
ii.ln-  M.  do 
i^.,.rs  of  the 
,.  tix.-d  and 
this  iKi-iod. 
;  ubi.vi.;  the 
if  til.'  I'ligi- 
y  wiirtliy  "f 
pluutalinns 
ve  sniilili<'S. 
„r  ii  low  in- 
n  cultivated 
V  al.'U'j;  the 
ciiil  ■!  I'lan 
tlu'  >tn'(.'t3 
1  to  :ill  wlio 
|tl„.  C'.'uucil. 
iVit  French 
lifty  ti)isi'3 
uibiiaiits,  of 
rs  in  ih'itth. 

h//y,/(/''"""S) 

In  aroiiiul  an 
liny  I  ill'  tho 
111. u- hi  hini- 
liiruatc  with 
I  to  ini'scrve 
la  small  ele- 
|,,t  of  which 
siivs.  ••  that 
;hI   in   name, 
lity.  a\iil  that 
1m.  ('  •  r»i«'n- 
lllo^t  suita- 
lor  or  liv  tho 


to  shelter  themselves  from  tho  injuries  of  the  air.  whilst  they  wait 
for  a  jilan,  aud  have  built  tlieiii.«i'lves  hou.ses.  M.  do  Pauger,  whom 
I  have  still  the  honor  to  aeeonipany,  has  just  now  showed  mo  one  of 

lakes,  with  Mobile,  wliich  was  tlim  tlio  hi-'ail-iiuartiis  orcaiiitalof  the  colonj-." 
Ho  yivis  a  jilaii  of  tho  city,  which  hi-  lU'scrilas  as  liciiii;  divicU'il  into  .sixty-live 
Si|iiai'cs.  cloven  ill  length  on  tho  river,  and  .six  in  (lopth,  with  a  lovi-o  in  front, 
extending  ahovo  an<l  Ih'Iow  for  seven  niilos.  At'icr  31.  do  la  Tour  had  traced 
the  ]ilan  of  Now  Orleans,  ho  descended  with  M.  do  I'angor,  assistant  oiiginoer, 
to  tin;  month  of  the  river  to  ostahlish  a  ]iost  ealli'd  ■■la  Jiulizr."  whioh  wa.s  in 
the  year  17--.  It  may  thorofoio  ho  safely  a!>.sunied  that  the  City  of  Now  ()r- 
loan.s  was  not  linally  establislad  nntil  the  year  17--:  tho  .sanio  year  in  which 
tlio  seat  of  govornnioiit  was  roniovod  thither,  after  a  jilan  signed  by  M.  do 
Pauger  in  17-4.  Tho  laniis:  on  imcIi  side  of  the  city,  both  above  and  bolow  it, 
were  afterwards  laid  out  into  plantations;  and  many  of  them  since  that  ]iorioil 
have  boon  divided  otf  into  lots,  whiih  now  make  \\\>  iho  extensive  plan  of  that 
city.  The  old  city  was  regularly  Ibrtilied  u|>  to  tho  cession  of  Franco  to  the 
United  States,  after  whieh  the  Ibrtilioatioiis  wore  entirely  deiiiolishod.  The  in- 
habitants and  others  passed  in  and  out  by  nu'ans  of  (bur  largo  gates.  Tlii'y 
Were  (h-ti'iidod  bj-  military  works  anil  mounted  with  heavy  oannoii.  They  were 
shut  oveiy  night  at  nine  o'clock,  and  al'ter  that  no  one  was  i)ormittod  to  walk 
the  htrools  without  permission  I'roiu  tho  Governor. 


1. 

I'f  Iticinille. 

4!). 

DWria^Mi'jtte. 

f4. 

DilliiMir;.'. 

(1 

1)|||JIVM||. 

41. 

L.'i/.uit. 

(-.-). 

(.'orps  lie  la  (;arile. 

3. 
4. 

(..Maiir  ami  DasfielJ. 
Ilojnaril. 

4J. 
44. 

K;.-iicl. 

Il..-|iiial  de  la  Coniiin^nie 

wi. 

',  Mai.on  lie  lis  Ca|iiiu 

5. 

<'lciv:intu>3. 

4.-.. 

(  iiiuriil  (1(»  I'rMiliiits. 

>•'. 

\'\r.  TrciiaMicr. 

C. 

7. 

Tniiwiclon. 

Tl»-IIKlllt. 

41-,. 
47. 

Triiiifaii. 

.Mai.  >M  lie  la  Jesuits. 

!NI. 

:  Carnero. 

e. 

l)u  l'au;,'er. 

4f<. 

St.  R.vne. 

H.I. 

IK.'a.-Ms. 

0, 
CI). 

n, 

.  La  fruniere. 
J  Dflery. 

4!>. 
iill. 
51, 
7St. 

Dt'Maiii.v 
Di.'iiioraiid. 

'  .Mitliel. 

I'lJ, 
2.-.'. 

■  1  'aruii. 
1  Pa.M.al. 

v:. 

I)c  Mandeville. 

.V> 

Fleiirian. 

;i:i. 

.Miinlaulian. 

i:t. 

UriMix  Kreres. 

I'l'tnc.-uilt. 

liJ. 

[  Morri.et. 

ill. 

'jii. 

Lrii  .riiiatiil. 
LaiiJ.i>. 

10. 

Dau^-eviije. 
t'liiiuvin. 

JCiil. 

/  \fiiilunie. 

!l7. 

!i;i. 

Kivaro. 

K.  nar.l  ilf  Mas-acre. 

17. 

Duval. 

t^l.'l. 

'■  liriislu. 

mil. 

V\i-.  St.,lBan. 

21  J, 

>  UosarJ. 

Dupuy  Freres. 
>St.  .Martin. 

I'll, 

ijii. 

J  Mureau. 

111. 

20, 
I  fill, 
2.>.-. 

i;ii, 
]3,V 

(it, 

Le  I'ase. 
/  St.  Ililaire. 

/  <ioulilaye. 

111-.', 

inc.. 
iii:i. 
l;i'.i. 

KM. 

.Mulot. 

'■  Fraiitois. 
Vvc.  Dnllant. 

21. 

Daily. 

tW. 

Vvc.  Sarazin. 

in.-). 

ItaitasMiii. 

2;!. 

Juiiaellerie. 

r.:i. 

"     Vitre. 

I(i7. 

r.laiinille. 

21. 

l'ori;(.'  lie  la  Marine. 

(14. 

I.eco.irt. 

|IW 

Hiiliurl. 

23, 
2(i. 

/  .Ma^iasins  lies  Direction. 

(it). 

I'oiijiart. 

Ti-nu. 

lli'.l. 

no. 

G.iiirl.in. 
Vve.  Carilcnal. 

27 

'•  Cmnmissary  du  Governm't 

(W. 

l!();;i'r. 

111. 

IliL-aia. 

31 

.  711. 

ra»-i'|i;\rtout. 

11.'. 

|l:U,:.iiir. 

3'.'. 

7L 

Il.latles. 

li:t. 

\'vi'.  ( 'arpcnticr. 

33. 

.Maisiin  a  U  Comnagnie, 

-.1 

Il.lair. 

114. 

"     Laurent. 

34. 

Villere. 

7:i. 

Itdiiiht'au. 

11.-). 

llrHmiiii'. 

3.-.. 

l'r..vi'iiche. 

74. 

'riioMi.'tsiton. 

111'.. 

liraniljean. 

3f>. 

(ianurit. 

71). 

Hriiac. 

117, 

^(Iranil  Cimrt. 

37 

3e 

'  Pelerin. 

77. 

7fi. 

IK-  Mi'/ieres. 

Cliaiitilly, 

',".17, 
211. 

.3!(, 

) 

W). 

Aulrere. 

Jl.-. 

.Monta^'u, 

234, 

>  Kolly  Frerej. 

Fl 

O^anne. 

IIU 

I'lurn  . 

230 

i 

b3. 

Rvvardi, 

121. 

Li\aiuiais. 

I 


i": 


1«2 


lll.STOUICAI,    CdLKKCTloNrf    OF    I.oll.-I  \\.\. 


Ins  (Irnwmi 


It 


IS  very  hue  and  vt-ry  rei/ii 


liar :  Imt  it  will  imt  bo  so 


oasv  to  cxfciito  it  as  it  was  to  trace  it  mi  jiiiiior. 


We  set  out  the  ■2-2(1 


jf  ".lulv  for  IJiloxi.  which  is  the  lieadMiuarturs.      I'.ctwccii  New  Or- 


eaiis  am 


I  the  sea  there  an'  no  <rraiits  ;   they  wmild    have  t> 


little 


de])tli :   there   are   only    some   siua 


ill    private  habitations,  ami   some 


•iiia''a 


ziiies  for  the  ;;reat  ''rants. 


IJ.'himl  one  of  these  habitations,  which  is  on  the  right,  imnieai- 
iitely  below  the  Knglish  Jleaeh.  there  was  not  long  since  a  village  of 
theChaouachas.  the  ruins  of  which  I  visited.  I  found  nothing  entire 
but  the  cabin  of  the  chief,  which  was  pretty  much  like  the  hou.-e  of 
one  of  (uir  i)easants  in  France,  only  with  this  ditfcrence,  that  it  had 
no  windows.  It  was  built  of  branches  of  trees,  the  vacancies  be- 
tween which  were  tilled  up  with  the  leaves  of  lattanier:  the  roof  was 
of  the  same  structure.  Tiiis  chief  is  very  absolute,  as  are  all  tho--0 
of  Florida:  he  never  hunts  or  shoots  but  for  his  diversion,  for  his 
subjects  arc  obliged  to  give  him  part  of  their  game,     ll'v,  village  is 


hi' 


I '51, 

r: 

Riii-al. 

i.>! 

.1    ■ ) 

.'^''hiiuiU. 

IT-.'. 

1,.  V... 

1J4. 

l'()ill|iHrt. 

I7:t. 

.lean  I.OIlii. 

IJ.-.. 

A'i-\;illilrc. 

in, 

I7.V 

Ma-on. 

IJi'i. 

D.'nliTMillcH.V. 

ir.. 

1  .:i^  11:111' 

i:ii. 

I'.eh.ne. 

I-Js. 

Tr.MiJI.Iv. 

177. 

I,a.  o^le. 

i:'.i. 

I.llifil.'. 

17-^ 

'I'.atni. 

i:ii>. 

.And'  III. 

I7'.l. 

Lalilie. 

i:tl, 

'  1            1 

l-!l. 

(    lii-^T.Ier. 

i:ii 

.l;i>-aiulo. 

1-1. 

I.etlian^elier. 

1:1:1. 

|l'linilliiT>. 

l-:i. 

.\llirl   n. 

1:11. 

»';i-iMiics  I't  Forges. 

l-l 

liiJMOl. 

i;tii, 

1  1. 

li-.".. 

lie  Itianme. 

2S|. 

;  '!"-" 

l-!l. 

Si.  .I.an. 

i;iT. 

HaiiiMiinl. 

I'.i^'. 

K.-i\  iiiont. 

1:1s. 

Vv    IVrot. 

I'.U. 

(  l.imlle. 

140. 

l.rvcMif 

in.'. 

S 

1:1. 

I'.MTirr. 

111:1. 

I'lirer. 

U-l 

.MiM.llll. 

inl. 

i'eni. 

11:1, 

^11. 

I'.Ki. 

r.'iMii't. 

'il'.'. 

'  l.a  I'nntaine. 

l!«i. 

Iliirin.ivelllure. 

Ml. 

Siiiiiiir.                  • 

1117 

.Iiil'i-oi'iir. 

u.v 

H  cluT. 

IW. 

(illllh   II. 

llli. 

.Mr:„..olle. 

'JdK. 

Ha-Hl. 

HT. 

Iliir.intye. 

yiii. 

l)„i;er. 

IIS. 

( loiMav. 

'j(i:i. 

(•    Ir-eail. 

lUl. 

i:i'rii;»r*l. 

an. 

U    lirr. 

1..U. 

n  ca-. 

'j(i."i. 

JiilHIlel. 

1.->I. 

I'lait'iH'ur. 

yiiii. 

Carlos, 

I.V.', 

.Maei'  Fniiicoise. 

'.•1:1. 

I'.iul. 

l.i:t. 

f  ,      , . 

'.'11. 

Danpliin. 

:ni. 

li  1  1  ranee. 

1:1. "> 

V.t-uwr. 

I.'ii, 

1 

iiiii. 

Callaiil. 

i.'ii;! 

'    1  (Ill'-IILT. 

yi7. 

l'i:;Mev. 

l.M, 

H.'IM't. 

S.'H. 

l.a  l'"orLM'. 

I.lli. 

l',.-.ll|l(l. 

i!lll. 

.Ii'aii  S.iul/,. 

l.'iT. 

Ma.ic  Miclicl. 

'J-.'ll. 

Sni-^uii, 

It'.l. 

Ilr    K-l. 

tl.t* 

.Me-nard. 

llvj. 

D'  Viiai'iiptte. 

U.I., 

Ilc-ll.'l. 

ii;:i. 

S,.uli;i::iiu'rt'. 

'.':ii>. 

f  ( '"inlois. 

ir.i. 

I,a  Itivieiu. 

:!i:i. 

Hi.-.. 

Soyr. 

c:!i 

.MancTau. 

iii:, 

1  P. net. 

'.':i,'. 

S.-iiilnier. 

Hi-. 

'ji;t 

.•\\ello. 

]>>'.> 

1  ..-'cairo. 

•::v,. 

CliiMina. 

17(1 

|)M|iai :. 

y-17 

Lalef. 

210.  I.f  One. 

•ill.  I'lIM    -111. 

;il-;;.iaii,vr. 

•Ji:i.  U..niliaii. 

■.'I.V  |lll|.l.--lv 

•riO.  li.e-rl.ur,. 

•J.'tl.  OlhrrllX. 

•:r,i.  Hl,lrlie. 
'.'.Vl,      ll,(>--et. 

•.'.")  1.  I  111  !■(•<. 

•,V>7.  Killl^'et. 

•Jli:t.  T.iii--:iiiit, 

•Jill.  Caoui. 
•Ji'.-i.     Daii-eiiilie. 

■JCIi,  I  I 

■Jli7  \ 

•Jliil      l!i)Mnl.iii 
.>-.!      tiarikie. 


r.oiiiier. 

I!ai!le^. 


.'7:l.  I 


lloriluzat. 


•J7  I.  \ 
•J77.      Merin. 
'J7-.     I„niier. 
•-71I.       l.,l'nlKTt. 
•Jr^-.     M.iielielerre, 

•-'Si,  '   V  ,., 

.),-       -\a\ier  Clievi'S. 

.„,  .  ruiiilier. 

•-'II-.'.     Coiirt.ibl.in, 

•"I'l   I 

-I'Im!  S  II'  i(r-:'i='»"»- 

■-'•"■'•  '  11 
:ii,!l   ^I'i'e.'. 

'J;i7,     \'ine''iii- 
;iliS,     Fciuinier. 
'JIO.     l.air.iil. 
31'.',    (ieiiiUlioininc, 

4:1, 

.■|li, 

,'-■.',  )■  \  la  Coiiipai'nic. 

!••'•.  I 
130.  J 


TV 


not  Vic  so 
t  the  -^-i"! 
New  Oi- 
tu,)  little 
iiiil  some 

.  iiiniu'ili- 
viUaLrc  of 
linn  I'litirc 
(.  Ik.uso  of 
tliiit  it  liad 

(MUfil'S  1)0- 
lie  vnof  was 

:c  all  tho<o 
ii.n.  fni-  liis 
is  village  13 


■tro. 

'Ik'Vi'S. 


ml. 
Liiiin. 


Immc. 


liiiiaL'iue. 


jiiii!\.\i,  oi'  r.\i'iii'.u  cKAUi.r.voix. 


1  Q" 


at  ])r('scut  (Pii  tlii>  otJuT  side  (if  the  rivor,  lialf  a  loai:iir  luwcr.  aii<l  tlio 
savaj:«'>  liavi'  (r;iiis|iiirtcil  tliitlicr  cvoii  to  tin;  bmu's  'if  tlu'ir  doiul. 

A  little  Im'Iuw  tlu'ir  new  litiliitatimi  the  i'oa>.t  is  iiiiu-li  iii;:!H'r  than 
any  where  heri'iilimit.  ami  it  a]i|i<'ars  to  nio  that  they  slinujil  have 
placed  the  I'ity  tiiere.  It  wuuld  lie  but  twenty  leairue-  tVinii  tht;  sea, 
and  with  a  muuIi  wind,  or  a  nindcrate  southeast,  a  ship  \vi>iil,l  j/(.t  up 
in  lil't'en  iimirs.  The  ni,trlit  of  the  "JiJd  we  (|\iitted  thr  lMi;it  whieh 
li.id  hroULdi*  us  hither,  and  endiarked  in  a  hriirantine.  in  whieli  wo 
fell  down  witli  the  stream  all  niu'ht.  Tiie  lU'.xt  inorninu'  liy  day- 
break we  had  passed  a  new  eircuit.  whieh  the  river  iiiakr-.  and  which 
they  call  thr  l!ea(di(ifthe  liakimine.s. 

W  V  tound  ourstdves  soon  after  in  tlie  niiilst  of  the  ]>nsses  of  tho 
^lississiji]!].  where  it  reijuires  the  <:reatest  attention  to  worli  the  ship, 
that    it    nsav  not   be  drawn  into  sonic  one  of  them,   IVoni   whence  it 


wouhl  \h'  impossilde  to  recover  it.  liie  greatest  jiart  are  only  little 
rivulets,  and  some  are  even  only  separati^d  by  sand  baidcs.  whi(  h  are 
almost  h  v.]  with  the  water.  It  is  the  bar  of  the  Missis-inpi  which 
lias  so  i:r.at]y  multiplied  tiiesc  passes;   for  it  is  ea,-y  to  cMicfive  by 


ic   manie  r  ni 


tl 

land- 


res  1 


aihl  tlu 


which  I    have  said    there  are   fori 

b 


licil   cviry  May    new 
river,  endeavnrinir  to  escape  by  where  it  linds  the  least 


stance,  makes  itscdf  a  jiassaire,  sometimes  one  way  and  sometimes 
another:  fr^m  whence  it   nii,Ldit   happen,  if  care  was  not  taken,  that 


no 


of  tl 


ne  of  tlii^e  passaiies  would  be  jiraeticable  for  V' 


esseis. 


The  niu'ht 


■  t!i  we  anciioreil  heyoiid  tlie  liar,  over  a,i;ainst  It  liaiise. 
The  cnnti'ary  wind  keeping;'  us  still  here,  we  were  williiiLr  to  make 
some  ailvantaire  of  this  dcday.  Yesterday,  the  "J-llh.  1m  iiii^-  Sunday, 
I  beiraii  by  singing  a  great  mass  in  the  island,  which  t'l.'y  call  la. 
Balise.  on  aec<uint  of  a  sea-mark  whiidi  they  lia\e  si  t  up  i'or  the 
dire<-tion  of  ships.     I  afterwards  blesse(l  it.  we  named   ii    Toulouse 


Lslaii 


It.    an 


I  we  saiiir  the  Te  iKuim.      Thi.s  island  is  sear'"  more  than 


half  a  le;i-ne  in  c 


iiupass.  taking  in  also  another  i>lanil.  wiii'-li  is  se| 
tl 


:ia- 


rateil  frmii  it  by  a  gutter,  v.dure  there  is  always  water      <)n  the  other 
hand  it  i-:  very  low.  ex<a'pting  only  one  ]ilace.  where  t' 


le  ti'iods  never 


come,  an  1  where  there  is  room  enoigh  to  build  a  f  u-t  and  some  maga- 
zines     T!iey  might  unload  vessels  here,  which  could  not  (  asily   pass 


the  b 


ir  with  their  wdiole  ladimr 


yi    de  I'auger  sounded  thi.s  place  with   the  lead,   and  found  the 
bottom  pretty  hard,  and  of  clay,  though  there  coim'  out  nl'  it  live  or 

*  'I'lii-^  i-!a'!il.  siluateil.  at  the  time  of  the  visit  of  Fatlier  ('liMrl'Vuix  on  tlic 
C(li;;e  oi"  tl;.'  (lull'  of  .vre.xieo  is  HOW  more  than  nine  miles  inlaii'I  iVmii  the  lav- 
bcut  niuui'i^  ol'tlio  Alississiiipi. 


Nill 


184 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


^l1 


ii 


six  little  -priiig.s.  but  wliicli  yield  little  water;  this  water  loaves  on 
tlie  sand  a  very  fine  salt.  When  tlic  river  is  lowest,  that  is  to  say, 
duriujr  the  three  hottest  inoiiths  of  the  year,  the  water  is  salt  round 
this  island  :  in  the  time  of  tlie  Hoods  it  is  iiuito  fresh,  and  the  river 
preserves  its  freshness  a  good  league  in  the  sea.  At  all  other  tiniea 
it  is  a  little  saltish  heyond  the  bar.  Therefore  it  is  entirely  a  fable, 
whieh  has  been  reported,  that  for  twenty  leagues  the  Mississippi  docs 
not  nii.N.  its  waters  with  those  of  the  sea. 

31.  J 'auger  and  I  passed  the  rest  of  the  day  with  the  pilot  Ker- 
lasio,  who  eoinnianded  the  brigantine,  in  sounding  and  diseovering 
the  only  mouth  of  the  river  whieh  is  navigable  ;  and  these  are  exaetly 
our  ob.-ervations  on  the  state  in  which  we  found  it,  for  I  do  not  an- 
swer for  the  changes  whieh  may  happen  in  it.  It  runs  northwest 
and  southeast  the  space  of  three  hundred  fathom,  in  going  up  from 
the  open  sea  ipiite  to  the  island  of  Toulouse,  over  against  which  there 
are  three  little  islands,  which  have  yet  nothing  growing  on  them, 
though  they  are  pretty  high.  In  all  this  interval,  its  breadth  is  two 
hundred  and  fifty  fathom,  its  depth  is  eighteen  feet  in  the  middle, 
the  bottom  soft  oose :  but  wo  must  navigate  hero  with  the  sounding- 
line  in  hand,  when  we  are  not  used  to  the  channel. 

From  hence  going  upwards  we  make  still  the  northwest  for  four 
hundred  fathom,  at  the  end  of  which  there  is  still  fifteen  water,  the 
same  bottom  :  and  it  is  to  be  observed  that  every  where  the  anchorage 
is  safe,  and  that  we  are  sheltered  from  all  the  winds  but  the  south 
and  the  southeast,  which  may,  when  they  are  violent,  make  the  ships 
drive  with  their  anchors,  but  without  danger,  because  they  would 
run  on  t!ie  bar,  which  is  a  soft  oose;  thou  we  make  the  northwest  by 
northeast  for  five  hundred  fathom.  This  is  properly  the  bar.  twelve 
feet  water,  mean  depth ;  we  must  also  work  here  with  great  atten- 
tion, for  we  meet  with  many  banks  ;  this  bar  is  two  hundred  and  fifty 
fathom  wide  between  low  lands  that  are  covered  with  reeds. 

In  the  pass  of  the  east,  which  is  immediately  above,  we  make  full 
west  for  a  league :  it  is  two  hundred  and  fifty  fathom  wide,  and  from 
four  to  fifteen  feet  in  depth.  Then  all  at  once  we  find  no  bottom. 
In  taking  again  the  great  pass  at  coming  off  the  bar,  we  make  again 
the  northwest  the  space  of  three  hundred  fathom,  and  we  have  al- 
ways here  forty-five  feet  waiter.  We  leave  on  the  right  the  pass  of 
Sauvole.  by  which  boats  may  go  to  liiloxi,  making  the  north  :  this 
place  took  its  name  from  an  officer,  whom  M.  d'Ibervillc  made  com- 
mandant in  the  colony  upon  his  return  to  France. 

Then  we  must  return  to  the  west  and  by  northwest  for  fifty 
fathom,  and  in  a  kind  of  bay,  which  wc  leave  on  the  left ;  at  the  end 


loaves  on 
is  to  say, 
alt  round 
thu  river 
hur  tiiuea 
ly  a  fable, 
jsipiii  docs 

j,ilot  Kcr- 
liseuvoring 
xrc  exaetly 
do  uot  an- 
iiorthwcst 
ig  up  from 
vhich  there 
g  on  them, 
adth  iri  two 
the  middle, 
ic  sounding- 


■est  for  four 
water,  the 
imehorage 
it  the  south 
c  the  ships 
they   would 
orthwerit  by 
bar,  twelve 
great  atteu- 
■ed  and  fifty 
ds. 

ye  make  full 
,e,  and  from 
no  bottom, 
make  again 
we  have  al- 
the  pass  of 
north :  this 
made  com- 

3st  for  fifty 
;  at  the  end 


JOITRVAI-    OK    FATIIF.U    CHARLEVOIX, 


IS^ 


of  this  spao(!  there  are  three  jia.'^ses,  one  to  the  .simtli-sontlieast.  ano- 
ther to  till-  '^ontli.  nnd  a  third  to  the  we.it-soiitliwest.  This  bay  is 
notwithstanding  only  t(fn  fathom  deep,  an  '  twnity  wide  :  but  those 


pas 


<cs  have  liftl(!  water.      We  continue  to  follow  tlio  same  rhumb  of 


the  wind,  and  at  fifty  fathom  farther  there  id  on  the  same  hand  ;i 
socund  bay.  which  is  twenty  fatlmm  wide  and  fifty  deep.  It  contains 
two  little  passes,  wliirh  canoes  of  bark  would  bo  troubled  to  got 
through,  and  theri'tnre  they  soldnm  reckon  them  among  the  jiasses. 
From  hence  we  take  to  the  west  fnr  the  space  of  five  hunilreil  lathnm. 
and  we  come  over  against  the  pass  i"\  la  Jioutre  (of  the  Otter).  It  is 
five  hundre(l  fatlmm  wide,  but  is  passable  only  for  ]>ettiangres.  Tiion 
we  turn  to  the  southwest  for  tw<'nty  fathom  :  we  return  to  the  west 
for  three  hundred,  then  tn  the  west  by-north  the  space  of  one  hun- 
dri'(l  ;  to  the  west-northwest  as  many,  to  tin;  northwest  eight  hun- 
dred ;  then  we  tind  on  the  left  the  pass  of  the  south,  which  is  two 
hundred  ami  til'ty  fathom  wide,  nine  f.ithum  \vatt;r  at  its  entrance  on 
the  side  towards  the  river,  and  two  feet  only  where  it  goes  out  to  the 
sea.  Two  hundred  and  fifty  fathom  farther  is  tiie  jiass  of  the  south- 
west, nearly  the  same  breadth  :  never  less  thmi  seven  or  eight  feet 
water.      Hereabout  the  country  beirins  to  bo  not  so  marshy,  hut  it  is 


tl 


le 


overflowed   during  four  months  of  the  year.      It  is  bounded  on 
left  liy  a  succession  of  little  lakes,  which  are  at  the  end  of  that  of  the 


Chiti 


dands    de   la   Chandeh 


liitimaclies :  and  on  tiie  riglit  tjy  the  islands  de  la  Lliandeleur 
(Candlemas) :  it  is  thought  that  bi:tween  these  islands  there  is  a  pas- 
sage for  the  largest  vessels,  and  that  it  would  be  easy  to  make  a  good 
port  here.  (Jreat  barks  may  go  U[i  from  the  sea  to  the  lake  of  the 
Chitimaehes.  and  nothing  hinders  from  going  thitiicr  to  cut  down 
the  finest  oaks  in  the  world,  with  which  all  this  coast  is  covered. 

I  think  it  would  be  best  to  stop  all  the  passes  but  the  principal 
one.  and  nothing  would  be  easier  ;  to  etlect  this  we  need  only  guide 
the  floating  trees  into  them,  with  which  the  river  is  almost  always 
covered.  From  hence  it  would  follow  in  the  first  place,  that  nothing 
would  enter  the  river,  not  even  bnks  and  canoes,  but  by  one  passage, 
which  would  defend  the  colony  from  surprises  :  in  tho  second  place, 
that  all  the  force  of  the  current  of  the  river  being  united,  its  sole 
mouth  would  deepen  itself  as  well  as  the  bar.  I  found  this  cnnjec- 
ture  on  what  had  happened  at  the  two  ]ioiiits  cut  off.  which  I  men- 
tioned before.  Then  there  would  be  nothing  more  to  do  than  to  pre- 
serve the  channel,  and  to  hinder  the  floating  trees  from  causing  any 
obstruction  in  it.  which  does  not  appear  to  me  to  be  very  diflicult. 

As  to  what  concerns  the  Itreadth  of  the  river  between  the  passes, 
tliat  is  to  say,  for  the  four  leagues  from  the  island  of  Toulouse  to  the 

12 


'I 

f 
1| 


If*  '■ 


li, 


180 


IIIHTOKICAIi    ('()IJ,i;(  j'U>\r(    ol'    I.ni'Irfl  \  \  A. 


jm.x.s  (if  tlir  .SDUtliwost,  it  is  lU'Vur  more  than  fifty  ffitlidiii;  Iml  iiiiiiic- 
diiitcly  ahiivu  this  puss.  th(^  Mississijijii  iiisutisii,ly  iccdvci?'  its  usual 
broailth,  which  is  ui'Vt.T  Kss  than  a  mile,  and  seldniu  more  tliaii  two 
miles.  Its  de]ith  alsn  inereases  friMU  the  bar  upwards.  whi«di  is  the 
reverse  of  all  other  rivers,  whieh  are  enmnroiily  tlie  deeper  the  neiirer 
they  eomu  to  the  sea. 

It  wouli]  be  here  a  proper  plaeo,  Madam,  to  entertain  you  with 
the  causes  of  the  failure  of  those  numerous  grants  whieh  have  made 
so  mueh  noi.se  in  France,  and  on  which  so  many  persons  had  built 
such  mi;.dity  hopes;  but  I  had  rather  refer  this  to  our  lirst  interview, 
anil  conliiie  myself  at  present  to  cominunieatc  to  you  my  thoughts  of 
the  metiiod  that  persons  should  pursue  in  settling  in  this  country,  if 
the  success  of  so  many  oft'orts.  and  of  such  largi!  sums  advanced  to 
no  purpose,  does  not  entirely  disgust  our  nation. 

it  appears  to  mc  that  tin;  haliitations  ought  not  to  l)e  jdaeed  on 
the  side  of  the  river;  but  I  would  have  them  removed  higher  up  the  ■ 
country,  at  least  a  quarter  of  a  league,  or  even  half  a  league.  I  am 
not  ignorant  that  it  is  possible  to  bo  freed  from  the  inconveniences 
of  the  common  floods  by  making  good  ditches:  but  I  think  it  is  a 
great  inconvenience  to  build  upon  a  soil  where,  if  jou  dig  ever  so  little, 
you  immediately  find  water;  and  of  conseciuenco  one  can  have  no 
cellars.  I  am  also  of  opinion  that  they  vould  be  urcat  gainers  by 
leaving  the  lands  all  open  to  the  annual  inundation  of  the  river. 

The  mud  that  settles  on  them,  when  the  waters  arc  gone  oft,  re- 
news and  enriches  them  ;  one  might  employ  a  part  of  them  in  jiastur- 
age.  the  other  might  be  sown  with  rice,  pulse,  and  in  general  with 
every  thing  that  rcipiires  ricii  and  wet  lands.  In  time  we  should  see 
on  both  sides  of  the  Mississijipi  nothing  but  gardens,  orchards  and 
meadows,  which  would  be  suilicient  to  feed  the  ])eoplc,  and  would 
supply  matter  for  a  useful  commerce  with  our  islands  and  the  other 
neighboring  colonies  In  short,  I  think  I  could  answer  for  it.  having 
lantled  twice  or  thrice  every  day  as  I  came  down  the  river,  that  al- 
most every  where,  at  a  little  distance  from  the  sides,  we  may  find  high 
grounds,  where  we  might  build  on  a  solid  foundation,  and  where 
wiieat  would  grow  very  well  when  they  have  given  air  to  the  country 
by  thinning  the  woods. 

As  to  what  concerns  the  navigation  of  the  river,  it  will  always  be 
difficult  when  we  are  to  go  up  it,  because  of  the  strength  of  the  cur- 
rent, which  obliges  us  even  in  going  down  to  be  very  cautious,  as  it 
bears  upon  points  that  run  out,  and  upon  shoals ;  so  that  to  navigate 
it  safely  we  must  have  vessels  that  have  both  sails  and  oars.  More- 
over, as  we  cannot  go  forward  at  night  when  it  is  cloudy,  these  voy- 


.V 


jiiniN'Ai.  or   lAiiir.i!   ni.\iii,i;v(>i\. 


is; 


ml  niiiiic- 
ils  u.-'vial 
than  two 
icli  is  tilt' 
111:  iiruror 

you  witli 
iiivs:  uiiulf 

lia.l  Imilt 

interview, 
liouf^lits  of 
cniintry,  if 
ivaiict'd  to 

|)lat'cil  on 
;lior  up  tiie  • 
ruo      1  aui 
iivuuioncort 
ink  it  is  ii 
vor  so  little, 
an  have   no 
gainers  by 

river, 
fono  oft",  rc- 
1  in  ]iaslur- 
neral  with 
sliouUl  see 
eliarils  and 
antl  would 
.1  the  other 
)r  it.  having 
er.  that  al- 
ly  find  high 
and  where 
the  eountry 

|ll  always  be 

of  the  cur- 

itious.  as  it 

to  navigate 

lars.     Morc- 

I,  these  voy- 


ages will  hr  always  vi'rv  trdluus  and   i'.\|)onsivo.  at  least  till  tlic  Imr 
ders  lit'  \\\,'  river  h.ive   settlements  near  eaeli  other,  on  tiw  wiiuje   ex- 
tent nt'llie  CiMnitry.  that  is.  Iictweeii  the  Illinois  and  tlie  sea  * 

Sueh.  .^Ial^•^nl.  is  this  cnnntry  wlileji  they  have  so  nnieli  talki  d  <>[' 
in  l-'iMiiei'  tur  sunie  years,  and  *>i'  wliieh  lew  |ieii]ile  lia\i'  a  jii»t  iili  a 
We  ha\'e  nut  been  the  first  Knrii]M  ans  tu  ai'K'nuwJeilge  t'le  guiMlness 
of  it  and  to  iH'gleet  it.  Ferdinand  d"  Snln  ran  over  it  fur  the  sji.iec 
of  tiiree  years,  and  his  hisfuriant  cmiiJiI  nut  forgive  iiiin  fur  nut  h.av- 
ing  inaile  a  solid  setth'uient  litMa'.  ••  Where  <'on!tl  lie  go,''  says  he. 
•■  to  ihi  better?" 

Imb'ed.  I  never  lieanl  liOiiisiana  lightly  spoken  of.  but  by  tlireo 
sorts  nf  penple  that  have  been  in  the  enimtry.  and  whose  testineoiy 
is  certainly  to  be  rejected.  The  first  are  the  mariners,  wlnt.  frciii  the 
road  nf  Ship  Islaiol  ur  Isle  Dauphin,  eouhl  see  nothing  but  that 
island  ipiite  covered  with  liarr<'n  sanil.  .iiid  the  still  u\(tvo  saiuly  enast 
of  15iloxi.  and  wlm  suffered  themselves  tu  be  p(!rsuaded  that  the  en- 
trance nf  the  3Iississippi  w..s  impa-.«.able  I'ov  ships  nf  a  certain  Imlk, 
or  that  it  was   necessary  to  go  fifty  leagues  up   this  river  to  find  a 

*  Even  after  tlio  ninutlis  of  ilie  .Mi>-is'.i])  li  witc  siirveyeil,  soiiiiilril.  and 
buovi'd.  slii|is  arriviiiy  fruni  l'.urii]ie  [iri  I'tiicil  to  aiielinr  at  ."Slii|i  Islainl.  tliaii  to 


oni'oiiiilcr  the  ilillicnll 


Irs  o 


f  (  rci>siiii;   the   liar  ami  :isc-(iiilipi;-  llie  river  to  .\'i'W 


ans,  w  liicli  soiiietiines  lodk  a  niontli  or  more.    S;e,iiii-tiii;>  liail  not  liieii  lieei 


le  onlv  ic 


actie.llile  eliliancr  I'l 


rXc-s^elS 


Orl. 

tlniuj:lit  of.  'i'lie  soiitliea>l  pass  was  ijn'ii  t 
drauiii::  fourteen  feet  nfua'i'r;  ami  to  prrMMve  a^  well  as  to  iiii|prc)Vi>  it  a 
Willi  Imilt  of  piles  was  ilirowii  up  wliieli  prcsi  rvi  d  tli"  elianiirl  from  the  ex- 
treme point  of  main  land  to  tlir  sea.  A  water  hatterv,  a  military  post,  slorc- 
lioiises  a  jHiwihr  inai;a/ine.  ainl  chapel,  were  lniill  npon  the  hank  I'oinicil  hy 
these  pilrs.  A  i^arrison  of  tifiy  men  was  n.sually  kept  there,  as  well  as  pilots 
and  a  frw  sailors.  This  spot  was  known  as  l!ali/.i'  foit.  At  Mrs;  c  siiiii  trd  on 
the  ccli;e  of  the  shore,  alioiil  srvcn  h\uiilrril  vai'ds  from  the  ( Mil  .■■  •  (hr  de- 
posits of  earth  by  the  I  lui'int  oi'  the  river  have  lieen  so  !,'real  that  ,i.iw  stands 
about  nine  miles  from  the  sea-shore.  'J'he  emrineer  dc  I'.iniri'r,  to  !iicica>e  the 
depth  ot'  that  mouth  or  ehainiel  ]iroposc  d  to  im'losr  it  hctwi m  two  niolcs  huilt 
of  drift- wooil  eoverinu' an  e.\t(  nt  of  two  thoirsnid  four  hnndred  yards.  This 
plan  wciuld  doubtless  hav<'  impicivid  the  chamirl.  but  it  was  never  e.\ii  uied. 
AltlioU'_di  this  channel  has  remained  about  the  same  I'vcr  since,  still  it  is 
deeply  to  be  rcirrettcd  tliat  scarcely  any  ell'orts  have  been  made  to  in- 
crease its  de|ith.  which  wiuild  not  only  have  been  of  fjrcat  advantaj^e 
to  commerce,  but  would  have  prevented  much  destruction  of  properly,  and 
valuable  land  and  plantations  from  lieiiii;  aiuiually  iuuinlated.  Kil'iy  thoiisand 
dollars  a  year,  W  jiuliciinislij  laid  out  by  the  State,  would  iiisiu'c  sixty  or  seventy 
feet  of  water  in  tins  elianmd.  throuj;h  which  probably  pass  u|)wards  of  two  hun- 
dred millions  of  dollars  anmially ;  besides  lessening  the  risk  to  merchants  and 
si  lip-owners. 

t  Garcilasodo  la  Vega's  History  of  the  Conquest  of  Florida. 


SI 


p 


188 


III.STOIUCAI.    COI.I.KCTIflNH    Of    LOUISIANA. 


pliu'i!  tliiit  was  Imbitalili'.  Tlicy  woiilil  liavr  Imcii  ijiiitc  of  niiotlior 
ojiiiiidii  if  tlu-y  ciulil  liavc  iiil;<tnistrtl  tlmsi'  wlio  talktd  fn  tlicm  in 
this  iiiiiiiii  r.  and  have  (lirtcovcrcd  this  iiintives  which  indiKX'tl  thiiiiso 
to  do. 

Tho  second  sort  arc  jioor  wrctcjics  who  arc  hciiiju'  drivi'ii  out  of 
France  I'nr  tiieir  crimes  or  had  conduct,  true  or  false,  or  who.  whether 
to  shun  tlic  jiursuit  of  their  creditors,  iiave  enjraged  thein.-elves  in 
the  troops  and  in  tlie  trrants.  Moth  these  hiokin^r  upon  this  cuuntry 
as  a  phice  of  hanishinciit.  are  disgusted  at  evcrytliini,'.  Tliey  dn  not 
interest  theiiiselves  in  tlie  success  of  a  c(dony,  of  whieii  they  are 
ini'nihers  against  tiieir  inclination,  and  they  concern  tlieniselves  very 
little  ahout  tho  advantages  which  it  may  jirocure  for  tin-  state:  tho 
greatest  part  of  them  arc  not  even  capable  of  perceiving  these  ad- 
vantages. 

Tlie  third  sort  are  those  who.  having  seen  nothing  hut  ]iov(rty  in 
a  country  on  whicii  excessive  expenses  have  been  liestnwed.  altrihute 
to  it  without  retlection  that  we  ought  entirely  to  cast  on  the  incapa- 
city or  on  the  negligence  of  those  wlu)  had  the  care  of  settling  it. 
You  also  km)W  very  well  the  reasons  they  had  to  publish  that  lioui- 
siana  contained  great  treasures,  and  that  it  l)rought  us  near  the  fa- 
mous mines  of  St.  I>ar!>e  and  other  still  richer,  frnm  which  they  flat- 
tered themselves  they  could  t'asily  drive  away  tlie  possessors;  and 
because  these  idle  stories  had  gained  credit  with  smue  silly  people, 
instead  of  imjiuting  to  themselves  tlie  error,  in  whieli  they  were  en- 
gaged by  tlu^ir  foolish  credulity,  they  have  discharged  their  spleen 
on  the  country,  where  they  have  found   nothing  of  what  had  been 


prom 


ISO 


d  tl 


lem. 


0\  IJoAuo  TUK  AiHiLii.  April  o,  17J2. 
The  20th,  after  liaving  closed  my  letter,  1  embarked,  and  we  pre- 
pared to  sail ;  but  after  we  had  made  one  tack  to  the  south,  the  wind 
coming  against  us  obliged  us  to  return  to  our  anchorage,  and  to  re- 
main there  the  two  following  days.  The  'i'.ith  we  weighed  anchor 
early  in  the  morning,  but  the  wind  was  so  weak  and  the  sea  ran  so 
high,  that  in  twenty-four  hours  we  made  but  fourteen  leagues,  which 
was  but  half  the  way  we  had  to  go.  The  oOth  we  had  neither  the 
wind  miu-e  favorable  nor  the  sea  more  calm  till  towards  four  in  the 
afternoon,  when  a  ^''ower  of  rain  cleared  up  the  weather,  which  was 
very  thick,  and  calmed  the  sea;  but  after  au  hour  or  two  the  mist 


JfilllVM.    oi"    I'\rili;U    CM  \UI.I'.\  nl\. 


ISO 


(if  iHHitlicr 

ti)  tliriii    ill 

•cd  tliiiii  so 

ivt'ii  (lilt  of 
111),  wliftlicr 
•iiif^flvt's  in 
Ills  tumitry 
riicy  tl"  not 
li  tlu'V  iiro 
isvlvcs  very 
i-  ^tatf  ;  tlio 
ig  tlir^^o  ad- 

I  iK.vdty  in 

•d.  altriliuto 

till!   imaiitt- 

srltliiiu:  it. 

h  tliitt  Luui- 

mar  tiic  t'a- 

ich  tlif,y  Hat- 

essors ;  and 

illy   lunple, 

fv  wrif  on- 

tlifir  fiilt.'i'ii 

it  had  been 


•il  r,,  1722. 
and  wo  prc- 

li,  tlio  wind 
and  to  re- 

ud  anchor 
0  sea  ran  so 
iguL'S,  which 

neither  the 

four  in  the 
which  was 
wo  the  mist 


returni'd.  and  liccainc  so  thick  tliat.  iiui  hciiii.'  ahlc  to  src  how  to 
steer  iiiir  vcs^ri.  \\r  canic  tu  an  anclmr.  The  next  day  as  the  fog 
did  not  di>|ier>e.  M  ih'  I'auL'er  and  I  wiiit  into  the  hnat  to  gain  tiie 
road  of  ri>l('  anx  \'ais>ii'aiix*  (Slii|i  Ishiiid);  we  visited  there  some 
sliips  of  France,  and  we  got  hack  to  Hiloxi  ahoiit  four  in  tin-  after- 
noon. 

All    this  coast  is   extremely  flat  :   mereliant    ships  cannot   come 

*  S'l'ii  hiililil  «11S  ilhvays  llie  tilsl   piiilil  on  llie  I'l.a^l  wliele  vessels  aiieliereil 

on  (■uinin^  I'liiiii  I'raiiee.     A  I'l'it  "iiN  liiiilt   l|ji'H'uilli  eoiiM  nieiil   aecipiMiiii"|,i- 

timis  I'm-  ll'oiipN     llesiiles  ^^a^elMlnse^    Uw    the    NluniJ^e  ..l'  ;; i^  all'l     Mlppli'  -  Inr 

the  eiiliiiiy. 

I'm-  a    imiliher   df  Vear^    Hilnxi    was    tln'    ]iriliei|i;i|    t'lelol-V    el"  llie    eoni|Mliy 
Ulltilllie  head  (|liarters  Were  reliinveij  111  .Mciliile.      Il.re    |lier\  ilie    Imill    a    lull 

a  liarrailo  liir  llie  tni(i|is.  and  slied>  !'.  ir  the  edlnniNis,  iinill  lliey  emilil  lie  le- 
liiii\eil  III  oilier  |iiiiiils.  (In  jlier  Uland  a  liii-|iital  uas  Imilt  Inr  llie  aeciiiiiino- 
dalioii  of  the  >ii'k.  The  Iran^imrlalion  oi'  ihe  eoliiiiisi>  \v,i>.  iieil'iirnied  iiy  IhmIs 
of  the  coiniiniiy.  wliieli  stMiliiej  IVoni  15ilo\i  pj-Mil  iliroii^li  lakes  i'oiiteliar- 
traiii  and  .Maure|iaN  and  llayon  Maneliae.  At  tin'  millet  of  llie  Iimv.  a  ]iii>t  was 
estalilislied  whieh  eoininniiiealed  direelly  wiih  the  upper  jiart  of  llie  ii\er  hy 
means  of  Niatiuns  ranged  all  iiIdiij:  ils  eoni>e.  at  whiili  Imats  eii!))loyed  in  ear- 
ryiiii;  eoiropiindence  and  eoiiveyin^'  Ironps  emild  ol>i;iin  all  thiir  nl•ee^>i||■y  sup- 
plies.     'J'lie  liii.its  on  llie  river    stiippi-d  at    Ihe    poll  of  Mani  li:li'     whieh    lielore 

the  head  ipiarlers  were  renioved,  u:is  Minieiiini  >  e.iil.  il  \i\\  (Irlians.  'J'lio-e  (if 
Hiloxi  only  passed  IVoiii  Manehae  to  IJiloxi.  Thirty  iiiile-  a  d  ly  was  considered  a 
good  passa^-i'  for  lioiitsi;oinijj  np  the  ri\  er  Alississipin.  'J'he  ^joNcrnnient  (  I'  I'raMee. 
at  this  early  period  had  reeoniniended  the  ii|ieiiiir^  ul' a  road  lis  laml  iVom 
Bildxi  to  llie  emintry  of  the  Illinois  to  obviate  the  delays  uhieh  theoveiilow 
of  the  rivi'r  oeeasioned  in  the  eorrespondenee  lietwem  ihi^e  iwo  points  of  the 
colony.  A  hearer  of  dispatehes  left  eaeh  of  these  points  onee  a  iiionih. 
llaiipliin  Isliind  ne;ir  the  eiitranee  of  .Mohile  hay.  was  foi-  many  years  an  iiii- 
portaiit  post,  li  was  re;;nlarly  fiirtilied  and  served  as  a  eoiivenient  haihor  for 
the  Freiieh  ship|iiii^-  in  summer,  'riieie  -.las  a  miliiary  jiost  at  the  mouth  of 
Baymi  St.  John,  nine  niile.s  frmu  .New  Orleans,  deiniilrd  liy  a  hattery  of  six 
iiUti^.     "lie  at   Cat    Island;  one  at   the    I5ali/.e;  one  nt  Point  ("oiipee ;   one  at 

Natehe/.  ;    uUe  nt   .\a  lehiloelies  ;    one    oli  llie    Ark.ins:l>;    one, -it    the  Va--oiis;    one 

atAltakapas:  one  at  the  Illimiis:  and  one  on  the  Alali.ima.  I'.aeh  of  these 
posts  was  under  the  eoiuniand  of  a  chief,  who  exercised  Imtli  civil  and  military 
jurisdiction.  The  adniinistiation  seat  ot'  the  ci.lnny  reiu.iiiii'il  ni  lliloxi  until  the 
year  17--!.  when  (iovernnr  liicnville  reinoMd  his  head-ipuirteis  to  New  ( )ili  ans. 
This  transfer  i:ave  an  impel  us  to  New  Orleans  which  I'mm  a  luiseraMe  haiii- 
let  h,is  now  hecnme  the  thiid  rreat  coinniereiMl  mart  of  the  rnited  . States,  and 
is  doulitless  destined.  /'■/('/(  the  Tehuailtcpec  route  is  opened  lietweeu  Ihf 
Atlantic  and  I'acilic  oceans,  and  the  lines  ot"  r.iili'oads  comiceiin:;  the  .Sniith 
with  the  North  are  coiiipK  ted.  to  he  what  Alex.indria  in  I'.irypt  was  in  llio 
times  of  the  Ivomaiis.  the  j;i-eal  inter-oceanic  capital  of  the  world.  ,\lready 
liur  exports  exceed  that  of  any  city  in  the  Cniti  cl  .States,  while  wi'h  well- 
directed  enterprise,  and  ciicouraLMnL'  coasiuise  and  I'nreiL'U  steam  na\i^atiiin 
with   all  parts  ol'  the  woild.  her  innmrts  may  he  made  to  I'xeceil  in  a  very 


t 


190 


III."' I'llUtC  \f,    Col.l.l'.iriMNS     (»('     1.1)1   HI  \.\\. 


IV,:' 
t\  ■ 


I 


.J^ 


ncui'iT  it  iIkiii  lour  l<'ii;.'iii's.  iiin)  llic  .'•iiiiilli.st  l>ri;::iiiliiit>  tliaii  two; 
siikI  t'Viii  tlii^f  iiri'  tililijiffd  in  pi  t'uitlu'r  n|V  wlnii  llic  wiml  i.s  nnrth 
or  iii>rtli\vt'>t.  or  cl-i'  tlnv  find  tliciii.Ht'lvcs  on  ^rtiinnl ;  ih  it  lia|i|»'iHMl 
ilic  iiiirlil  111  Inn-  I  ili'liiirkcil  The  ruml  is  tlic  wliolc  IniL'tli  i>\'  Sliip 
li^Iiiiiil.  wliii'Ii  (StciMls  a  small  lra;riir  iVniii  ra>t  to  Wot.  Iiiit  lias  vrry 
littli'  linailtli  'I'd  till' ca^t  nt' tlii>  inland  is  |)ni|iliin  Islaini.  t'lnnrrly 
calli'd  MassaiTc  Island.  wIh'Ic  tlion'  wa>i  a  tidiraldc  jinrt.  wliidi  i\ 
irnst  lit"  wii.'l  shut  ii[i  ill  twd  liiMirs.  11  little  III. Ill'  than  ;i  veil"  ai'i'.  by 
lilliiii;  tlio  I'litiaiirc  nf  it  witli  sand.  Tn  tlic  west  nf  Slii|i  I-<laiid  lie 
(tiic  lii'Iiiiid  tin-  iitJiiT  till'  I.-laiid  des  Cliat''  m-  di«  Mieiiville.  (lie  Is- 
land iij'iirii''.  and  the  fslcs  de  la  Chaiidelenr. 

What  tliev  fall  liie  IMiixi  is  the  coast  of  tin'  iiiaiii  land,  wliich 
is  to  the  north  of  the  ro.id  This  is  the  name  of  ii  nation  of  savai^cs 
wliieli  wfii;  settled  there  formerly.  Imt  who  are  now  retired  towards 
the  northwest,  on  the  horders  of  a  littlt;  river  c.illed  the  river  of 
pearls.  Itoeaust!  they  have  IoiiikI  in  it  u  poor  .sort  of  pearls.  They 
could  not  liavo  eliosen  a  wor.se  situation  for  the  j^eiieral  ipiartirs  of 
the  colony,  for  it  can  neither  receive  any  succors  from  the  ships,  nor 
give  tlieni  any.  for  the  reasons  1  have  nicntioiud.  IJcsides  this,  the 
road  has  two  L'reut  faults;  the  ancliora,i,'e  is  not  t'ood  and  it  is  full  of 
worms,  which  duma'.'c  all  the  ships  :  the  only  service  it  is  of  is  to 
slicltir  the  ships  from  ii  sudden  L'nst  of  wind  when  they  eomc  to  dis- 
cover the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi,  which,  having'  only  low  lamls,  it 
would  he  dangerous  to  approach  in  h;id  weather  without  havinir  lirst 
discovered   it. 

The  JJiloxi  is  not  more  valualde  for  its  land  than  for  it-  .-'a.  Tt 
is  iiothin,:^  hut  saiitl.  and  tlicre  i:r  iws  there  little  hesides  pims  and 
cellars.  Tiie  cassiiie,  otherwise  called  the  apalachine.  also  i^row.s 
there  every  where  in  pK'Uty.  It  is  a  very  small  shruh.  the  haves  of 
which,  infused  like  those  of  tea.  ]iass  for  a  j.'oo(l  di.>solvent  and  an 
excellent  sudorific,  hut  its  principal  quality  is  diuretic,  The  Span- 
iunls  use  it  in  all  I'lorida  ;  it  is  even  their  eoniniou  drink.  It  hegan 
to   he  used   ill  I'aris  when  I  left  it;   hut  we  wt're  then  in  a  had   lime 

tew  veiirs,  her  iircat  rival  in  wcallli  and  eiitcTiuiM',  tlie  eiiy  oC  \c\v-York. 
The  ("illowiiii;  talil<'  will  jrive  soiin'  iilea  ot'  liie  cNliiit  ol"  cciiuilry  walcnil  l>y 
mmici'oiis  liiii,'e  rivcis,  which  is  now  niiide  iiv  sl.iOiiliniit  iia\  i;;aliiiii,  in  sniuo 
measure  tiitiularx  to  the  cminiu  rcc  of  New  Oile.ias.  vi/.,:  — 

Valley  ol' the  Ohio lltMKHIII  s,|.  milis. 

.Missis>i|i|ii  iiro]K'r,  ,         ,         ,       I.^OIKIO 

'•  "        ^Missouri.        ,        ,        ,  .      .'lOOOUd         •' 

"  "        Lower  Mississijipi,         .        .        .      :;:;(! uiio         " 


Area  in  siiuare  uiiU's, 


l.lilO.(H)U 


tliiiii  two; 
1   i.s  iiiii-th 

li.'l]>|ii'l|(Ml 

til  n(  Sliip 
it  li;i«  very 
1.  fiiriiiiTly 
rt.  wliicli  a 
•ar  ;i_'n,  by 
I  I-laii'l  lie 

llr.  t|„.    ]s- 

iiiil.  wliich 

I'll  titwiirtln 
III'  river  nf 
iris,  'riii'y 
ijiiarti  rs  of 
i;  .-liips.  imr 
cs  lliis.  tlio 
it  is  full  of 

is  (if  is  to 
oiiH'  til  ilis- 
i\v  lands,  it 

iiviiiir  lirst 


-  M  a.      Tt 
|iii(s  and 

llsi)    iil-OWS 

Iravt'S  of 
lit   and  nn 
ic  Sjian- 


ic 


It  lit'gan 
II  had   time 


N'rW-Vulk. 

wall  rill  l>y 
imi.  ill  Miiiiu 


jriiKNAi.  Ill'   r\riii:it  ni  \iM,r.V(ii\. 


101 


fur  iHW  trials;  tln'v  drnpiiid  as  siiddcnly  as  tln-y  won- taki'ii  up. 
Ni'vcrtlicltss.  I  Ivimw  tliat  st'Voral  jifrsons  who  liav  usrd  apalailiiiio 
jiraiM'  it  irn-atly. 

TliiTi'  arc  two  Kinds,  wliirli  ditrrr  mily  in  the  >i/.i'  of  tlir  IraM'S. 
Tliux'  (if  tlic  larirc  s(irt  arc  iilmvc  an  inch  Imi'.'.  the  others  arc  little 
liiore  than  half  that  leiii.'lli.  In  >Iim|ic  and  »iili>taiiec  they  arc  iihu'Ii 
like  the  haves  nf  Imix.  except  tliiit  they  arc  rnnnder  at  the  ends  and 
of  a  hri'_ditcr  ^recn.  The  naiiic  of  apalachinc  which  we  have  ;:ivcii 
tills  shriili.  cMiiK's  from  the  Apalaclics,  a  people  of  Fhiri'la.  fmni  wliuiii 
tlie  Spaniards  h'anit  its  n>c.  and  this  is  their  iiiaiiiier  nt  prcparinL'  it. 

'I'liey  set  on  the  lire  in  an  earthen  pot  a  certain  ipiantity  of  h  ascs. 
find  they  let  them  parch  in  it  till  tlnir  color  licconies  rcddl>h.  then 
tliey  piMir  water  on  them  j.'eiitly  till  the  p  it  is  full.  This  water 
takes  the  eohir  of  the  leaves,  and  it  froths  when  it  i.*  pound  out.  Iik»! 
he(  r.  They  drink  it  as  hot  as  pos»ililc,  and  the  savai.'es  wmild  .sooner 
<ro  without  eatiiiLT  than  miss  drinking'  it  ni>;ht  and  iiiorniii;;:  they 
think  they  should  lie  sick  if  they  went  without  it.  ami  it  is  said  tin; 
Spaniards  have  tln(  same  notion. 

Half  an  hour  at'ter  they  have  taken  it.  it  licirins  to  pa<s  olf.  and  this 
lasts  an  hour.  It  is  hard  to  conceive  how  ;i  drink  which  passes  so 
soon  throiiLdi  the  liody  can  he  so  iionrishiiii.'  as  they  say  it  is:  it  is 
easy  to  comiircheiid  th.it  it  mav  cleanse  awav  whatever  himlcrs  the 
passage  of  the  urine,  and  causes  diseases  of  the  reins.  \\'hcn  the 
eiivaiics  would  purirc  themselves,  they  mix  .■>ca -water  with  it.  and  this 
pn.xliict'H  <rreat  evacuations  ;  Imt  if  the  dose  of  sea-water  is  too  strong 
it  may  kill  them,  and  this  is  not  without  example.  I  have  seen  it 
taken  in  l''rancc  without  so  much  ado  iu  prepariiiir  it.  and  in  the 
inanner  one  makes  tea.  hut  only  doiihlinir  the  do.^c.  ;iiid  inakiiii:  it 
boil  near  half  a  ((iiartcr  of  an  hmir  :  and  1  make  iio  douht  hut  tii.it 
it  has  then  a  great  elfcct 

They  iind  here  also  a  kind  of  myrtle  with  larLTc  leaves.  wlii<di  I 
know  already  was  very  common  on  the  coast  of  Acadia,  and  of  tin; 
Knglisli  colonies  on  this  continent,  ."^ninc  give  it  the  iiaine  of  laiin  1. 
but  they  are  mistaken;  its  leaves  have  the  .»niell  (d"  myrtle,  and  the 
English  always  call  it  the  candle  myrtle.  This  shrub  bears  a  little 
grain,  which  being  thrown  into  boiling  water  .swims  upon  it  and  be- 
comes a  green  wax.  less  fat  and  more  brittle  than  that  of  bees,  but  as 
good  to  burn.  The  only  iiicouvenieuce  they  have  found  in  it  is  that 
it  breaks  too  easily,  but  they  might  mix  it  with  another  wax  ex- 
tremely liipiid  which  they  get  in  the  woods  i>['  the  islands  of  America 
which,  however,  is  not  necessary,  unles.s  they  want  to  make  large  ta- 
pcrs.     I  have  seen  candles  made  of  it  which  gave  as  good  a  light  and 


i 


Irfr 


:fe.t> 


tf.' 
'11 

1 

;; 

1 

1 

1 
1 

.  ^ 


192 


UISTORKAK    (OM-ECTIOXH    OI'    I.OtllSI.WA. 
* 


which  lasted  as  long  as  ours.  Our  uilissiimarics  of  tlic  uelirhhorhood 
of  Acadia  mix  suet  with  it.  which  makes  tiiciii  a]it  to  run,  because  tho 
8Uet  (h)('s  not  mix  well  with  tliis  wax. 

The  Sicur  Alexandre,  who  is  here  in  tlie  service  of  ilie  company  in 
the  quality  of  surgeon  ar.d  botanist,  mixes  nothing  with  it.  and  his 
candles  have  not  this  fault;  their  light  is  snft  and  very  clear,  and  th(? 
smoke  they  make  when  they  are  blown  out  has  a  smell  of  myrtle  very 
agreeable.  IJe  is  in  hopes  of  linding  a  way  to  blanch  tliem.  and  ^t 
showed  me  a  mass  of  it,  which  was  aliovi!  half  blanched,  lit;  s;;ys  that 
if  they  would  allow  him  five  or  six  of  those  slaves  who  are  least  fit  for 
the  common  labors,  to  gather  the  grain  in  the  season,  he  eouhl  niako 
wax  enough  to  load  a  ship  every  year. 

Ai  thirteen  or  fourteen  leagues  from  the  IJiloxi.  inclining  to  the 
east,  we  find  the  river  of  the  Maubile,  which  runs  frnm  tiie  north  to 
the  south,  and  the  nmuth  of  wliicli  is  over  against  Dauphin  Island. 
It  rises  in  the  country  of  the  Chicaehas,  and  its  course  is  about  a 
hundred  and  thirty  leagues.  Its  bed  is  very  narrow,  and  it  winds 
much,  which  does  not  hinder  it  being  very  ra[)id  :  but  there  are 
scarce  any  but  the  little  petfiaugrc  that  can  go  up  it  when  the  waters 
are  low.  We  have  on  this  river  a  fort,  which  has  been  i\  long  time 
the  principal  post  of  the  colony  ;  yet  the  lands  are  imt  ^  lod,  but  its 
situation  near  the  Spaniards  makes  it  eonveni(,'nt  for  uding  with 
them,  and  this  was  all  they  smight  for  at  that  time. 

It  is  reported  that  at  some  leagues  beyond  the  fort  'ley  have 
discovered  a  quarry  :  if  this  be  true,  and  tlie  i[uarry  abi)  ids  with 
stone,  it  may  prevent  the  entire  desertion  of  this  post,  wl  Ii  many 
inhabitants  begin  to  forsake,  being  unwilling  to  cultivate  y  longer 
a  soil  tvhich  does  not  answer  the  pains  they  ^ako  to  iprove  it. 
Nevertheless.  I  do  not  believe  that  tiiey  will  easily  resoh  to  evacu- 
ate the  fort  of  Maubile.  though  it  sliould  serve  only  to  kcL^  in  our 
alliance  the  Tchactas.  a  numevous  people,  who  make  us  a  necessary 
barrier  against  the  Cljicaciias.  and  against  the  savages  borderinii-  on 
Carolina.  (Jarcilasso  de  la  A'eg'^-  '"  '>>■''  history  of  Florida,  speaks  of 
a  village  called  iNIauvilla,  which  no  doubt  gave  its  name  to  tlie  river, 
and  to  the  nation  that  was  settled  on  its  borders.  Tliese  Mauvilian.s 
were  then  very  powerful ;  at  present  there  are  hardly  any  traces  left 
of  them. 

They  are  at  jiresent  engaged  in  seeking  to  tiie  west  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, a  place  fit  to  make  a  settlement  which  may  bring  us  nearer 
to  Mexico;  and  they  think  they  have  found  it  at  a  hundred  leagues 
from  the  mouth  of  the  river,  in  a  bay  whicii  bears-  the  name  some- 
times of  St.  Magdalen,  and  sometimes  of  St.  Louis,  but  oftener  that 


JOUKNAI.    or    FATIIEK    CIIAKLEVOIX 


10.", 


S), 


lil)orli()od 

CllUSf  tllf! 

inpaiiy  in 
:.  ami  lii.s 
•.  ami  tlio 
yrtio  v(!ry 
11.  ami  ''t 
s;^ys  tliat 
■a.^t  tit  for 
mill  luako 

iig  to  tlio 
[i  north  to 
in  Island. 
,s  alxiut  a 
it  winds 
there  are 
the  waters 
lon^r  time 
)d.  but  its 
Uing  with 

'ley  have 

ids  with 

h  many 

y  longer 

iprove  it. 

to  cvaeu- 

c^  in  our 

necessary 

lering  on 

speaks  of 

the  river, 

lanvdians 

traces  left 

the  Mis- 
US  nearer 
d  leagues 
ime  somo- 
tencr  that 


of  St.  iJernard.  It  receives  many  rivers,  some  of  wdiieh  are  lortty 
large:  and  it  was  there  that  M.  de  la  Salle  landed  when  lie  niissi'd 
the  muiith  of  the  Mississiiipi,  A  hrigantine  has  hccn  sent  lately 
thither  to  ri'connoitre  it,  Imf  they  found  tliere  some  savages,  who  aj»- 
pear  little  disposed  to  receive  us.  and  whom  they  did  imt  treat  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  gain  tliem  to  us.  I  also  hear  that  the  Spaniards 
have  very  lately  prevented  tliis  design  by  .settling  there  before  us. 

There  is  in  truth  something  more  ])ressing  and  better  to  be  done 
than  this  enterprise.  I  know  that  conimer>e  is  the  soul  i>f  eidnnies, 
ami  tliat  they  are  of  no  use  to  such  a  kini:dnm  as  ours  but  fir  this 
end.  ami  to  hinder  our  nelglibors  tVinn  growing  too  jiowert'iil :  but  if 
they  do  not  begin  by  cultivating  tlie  lands.  e()Uimerc(\  after  having 
enriched  some  private  jMrsons.  will  soon  drop,  and  tlu>  colony  will  not 
be  e.->talilislieil.  The  neigliborhood  of  tiie  Spaniards  may  Iiave  its 
use.-  but  let  us  leave  it  to  them  to  approadi  us  as  mucli  as  they  will, 
we  are  not  in  a  condition,  and  we  have  no  need,  to  extend  oursidves 
fartlier.  They  are  ]icaceable  eiioiigli  in  this  country,  and  they  will 
never  be  strong  enongh  to  give  us  any  uneasiness.  It  is  not  even 
their  interest  todiive  us  out  of  this  ciumtry:  and  if  they  do  not 
comprehend  it  yet.  tiiey  will  witliout  doubt  soon  be  sensible  that  they 
cannot  have  !i  better  barrier  against  tlie  Knglisli  than  Louisiana. 

TIr(  heat  was  already  very  troublesome  at  the  l>ilo.\i  in  tiu^  middle 
of  ]N'arch.  and  I  judge  tliat  when  tin;  sun  has  onee  heated  the  sand 
on  wliicli  we  widk  iiere.  the  heat  must  be  excessive.  They  say  indeed 
that  without  the  breeze  whieli  rises  pretty  regularly  every  day  be- 
tween nine  and  ten  in  tin;  morning,  and  continues  till  sunset,  it  would 
be  impossible  to  live  here.  Tlie  mouth  of  the  Mississippi  is  in 
twenty-nine  degrees  latitude,  and  the  coast  of  tlie  IJiloxi  is  in  tiiirty. 
We  had  here  in  the  month  of  February  some  c(dd  weather,  wlien  the 
wind  blew  from  the  north  and  nortliwest.  but  it  did  not  last  h-ng; 
and  it  was  even  fiUowed  by  great  heats  with  thunder  and  liglitning 
and  storms,  so  that  in  the  morning  we  were  in  winter,  and  in  the 
afterno(ni  in  summer,  with  some  small  intervals  of  spring  and  au- 
tumn between  both.  Tlie  bree/.e  comes  generally  from  the  cast. 
When  it  comes  from  the  south  it  is  only  a  rcHcctcd  wind,  wliic  li  is 
much  less  refreshing  ;  but  it  is  still  a  wind,  and  when  it  falls  entirely 
there  is  no  breathing. 

Tii((  'Jlth  of  3Iarch  I  departed  from  IJiloxi.  where  I  iiad  been 
stopped  by  a  jaundice,  which  held  mo  about  a  month,  and  1  returned 
to  New  Orleans,  where  I  was  to  embark  in  a  pink  belonging  to  tlio 
company  named  the  Adotir.  I  made  this  V(tyag(!  in  a  pettiangro. 
and  I  never  yet  made  one  more  disagreeable.     Five  leagues  from  the 


^ 


■ 


1  r 


|1 


i  1 


t  ?^s        fl 


104 


lllSTOItrCAl<    COLLECTION'S    OF    LOUIrilANA. 


Hil'ixi.  tin;  west  wind,  wliicli  in  tlirco  Iioiirs  Itrouglit  mo  tliero.  gave 
placi!  f(i  ii  sDntli  wind  so  violent  tliat  I  was  oblijiod  to  stop.  I  had 
s(',irc(!  tinu!  to  sot  up  ii;y  tent  hct'irc  wo  were  ovorflowed  with  a 
dt'liiL'i'  of  rain,  accompanied  with  tiinndcr. 

Two  litthi  vessels  tliat  set  out  witli  mo  wcsre  willing  to  take  ad- 
vantaire  of  the  wind,  wliieli  carried  them  a  jrreat  wav  in  a  few  hours, 
and  I  was  very  sorry  that  I  could  not  do  the  same,  but  I  soon  heard 
that  their  fate  deserved  rather  pity  than  envy.  The  first  was  ii  ;'on- 
tiniial  danger  of  being  lost,  and  her  passengers  arrived  at  New  Or- 
li'ans  rather  dead  than  alivo.  The  other  was  run  aground  about 
half  w;iy,  and  five  jiorsons  were  drowned  in  a  meadow,  of  which  the 
storm  had  made  a  lake.  The  wind  continued  all  night  with  the  sanio 
violence,  and  the  rain  did  not  cease  till  tho  next  day  at  noon.  It  be- 
gan agiin  at  night,  and  continued  till  day  with  thun<ler. 

^Vhen  we  sail  in  sight  of  this  coast  it  apjjcars  very  pleasant,  but 
when  we  conu'  neari'r  it  is  not  the  same  thing.  It  is  all  along  a 
sand  as  at  the  IJiloxi.  and  we  find  on  itonly  jioor  woods.  T  (djscirved 
here  a  kind  of  sorrel  whicli  has  the  same  taste  as  ours,  but  the  leaves 
of  wliicIi  are  narr(twer ;  and  which  cause's,  as  they  say,  the  bloody- 
flux.  There  is  also  in  these  jjarts  a  kind  of  ash.  which  they  call 
IJois  d' Aiuourette  (Lover's  Wood),  tho  bark  of  which  is  full  of  prickles, 
and  passes  for  a  sovereign  remedy,  and  very  .speedy  against  the 
tooth-ache. 

The  "itith  it  rained  all  the  day.  and  though  the  sea  was  calm  we 
made  little  way.  We  got  a  little  further  the  -i/ th.  but  tho  following 
night  we  went  out  of  our  course  above  the  island  of  Pearls.  Tho 
next  day  we  went  and  encamped  at  the  entrance  of  lake  I'ontchar- 
train,  having  left  a  little  b.'fore  ou  the  right  the  river  of  Pearls, 
which  has  thri'o  mouths.  The  separation  of  these  three  branches  is 
at  four  leagues  from  the  sea.  and  tho  IJiloxies  are  a  little  above  it. 

In  the  afternoon  we  crossed  the  lake  I'onteliartrain.  This  tra- 
verse is  seven  or  eight  leagues,  and  at  midnight  we  entered  the 
Bayouc  of  St.  John.  Those  who  first  navigated  this  lake,  found  it, 
as  they  say.  so  full  of  caimans  (alligators)  that  they  could  scarce  give  a 
stroke  of  the  oar  without  hitting  one.  They  are  at  present  very 
scarce  in  it.  and  we  only  saw  some  traces  of  them  at  our  encamping  ; 
for  the>e  animals  lay  their  u'j:'^^  ou  the  land.  After  I  had  rested  my- 
self a  little  at  coming  out  of  the  lake,  I  pursued  my  way  by  laud, 
and  T  arrived  at  Xcsw  Orleans  before  day. 

Tho  Aildur  was  gone  from  thence,  but  not  far,  and  T  came  up 
with  her  the  next  day.  the  1st  of  A|iril.  The  inundation  was  at  its 
height,  and  of  eonse(^uence  the  river  much  more  rapid  than  I  found 


lioro.  fravo 
ip.  I  liiid 
red  with  a 


0  tal<c  ad- 
t'cw  lidiirs, 
;oon  lii'ard 
yas  ii  ;M)n- 
t  Now  Gr- 
ind alinut 
wliicli  tl)e 
li  tlic  saiiio 
m.      Itbc- 

.'asaiit.  but 
all  ailing  a 

1  obsi.Tvod 
tlic  leaves 

lie  blniidy- 
i  they  call 
)f  priekles. 
ijainst  the 

s  calm  we 
fiillowing 
ris.  The 
I'lintc-liar- 
of  P.'arls. 
iranches  is 
liove  it. 

This  tra- 
teri'd   the 

'iiund  it, 
:ii'('e  give  a 
'sent  very 
leainning ; 
rested  niy- 

by  laud, 

came  up 
was  at  its 
u  I  found 


jniJKiVAL  or  i'ATiii:i{  cii  \i!i.i:v(ii\. 


195 


it  two  months  before.  Moreover,  a  ship,  t  specially  a  pink.  Is  not  so 
easily  worked  as  a  sloop;  and  as  nnr  sailnrs  were  not  used  to  this 
navigation,  we  had  a  gri'at  deiil  nf  trunlile  to  gi't  nut  nf  the  river. 
The  shij)  drivi'U  snmetimes  to  out:  shore  ;ind  sonu'times  to  the  other, 
often  tiingled  its  yards  and  tackling  in  the  trei's.  and  they  were 
obliged  more  than  once  to  cut  aw:iy  the  tiickling  to  free  us  from  this 
embarrassment.  It  was  worse  still  when  we  cuiue  to  the  passes,  for  the 
current  always  drew  us  into  the  ne;iri>t  with  great  vioh  iice.  We 
got  even  into  one  of  the  smallest,  and  I  could  never  yet  conceive 
how  we  could  get  out  again.  We  came  oil'.  Iiowever,  with  the  loss  of 
an  anchor  which  we  hift  there.  We  had  already  lost  two  days  be- 
fore. HO  that  we  hail  only  two  remaining,  Sm-li  a  bud  beginning 
made  us  a  little  thoughtful,  but  the  youth  and  little  skill  of  those 
with  whom  they  had  trusted  us  gave  us  still  more  uneasiness. 

The  Adiiiir  i.s  a  very  pretty  vessel  of  tluH'c  hundred  tons  burthen. 
It  sailed  from  France  with  a  very  good  crew,  umler  the  conduct  id' a 
captain  who  understood  his  busimss.  and  a  lieutiuiant  who  had  a 
very  good  character.  The  latter  was  left  sick  at  St.  Domingo.  The 
captain  soon  after  his  arrival  at  the  J>ilo\i.  i[U.irrelled  with  one  of  the 
direetor.s  of  the  eomp;iny.  who  displaced  him.  T)  supply  the  |ilaees 
of  these  two  otlicers.  they  have  cho>en  a  young  man  of  St.  .Malo.  who 
came  three  years  ago  to  liouisiana.  in  the  station  of  pilot's  mate  or 
apprentice,  and  who  since  that  time  got  the  command  of  a  sloop  in 
the  road  of  the  IJilo.xi.  to  go  sometimes  to  la  Maubile  and  ,'^onutimes 
to  New  Orleans  with  provisions.  lie  ajijiears  to  have  eviry  thing 
that  is  requisite  to  become  a  skillul  miriner  :  he  loves  his  business 
and  applies  himself  to  it  :  but  we  should  be  vry  willing  to  see 
nothing  of  his  little  I'.xperience.  especially  in  a  navigation  which  is 
att(;nded  with  great  dilhculties. 

lie  has  for  his  second  an  otlieer  who  came  from  France  in  the 
quality  of  iLUsign;  he  also  is  a  young  man  very  lit  to  be  a  sul)altern 
under  principals  of  experience',  who  wmdd  leave  nothing  to  him  but 
the  care  of  executing  their  orders,  it  would  lie  hard  to  hud  a  sea- 
man of  more  courage  in  a  storm,  which  he  has  been  usi:d  to  from  his 
childhood  in  the  painful  iisheries  of  Newfoundlaml  :  and  two  or 
three  shijiwrecks  from  which  he  has  hap[pily  escaped,  has  given  him 
a  eontidi'uce.  which  1  shall  be  much  surpri>ed  if  he  does  not  come 
into  a  liad  plight  by. 

Our  first  jiilot  appears  a  little  more  e.\perienced  than  these  two 
officers,  and  they  depend  much  on  the  knowledge  he  has  of  the  chan- 
nel of  liahauia.  which  he  has  passed  ouee  already.  IJut  this  is  but 
little  to  be  acquainted  with  this   passage   the  most  danger-us  that 


i   , 


f 


'■'  I!- 


106 


lllSTOKirAI,    COM.rcTIOVS    Of    KoriSIANA. 


tliorc  is  ill  tlic  Ainoricaii  sraH.  and  wlicro  (lioy  reckon  shipwrecks  by 
tliDusands,  Moreover.  I  am  ;rri'afly  a[i|irelioiisivo  that  a  Certain  self- 
suffifiriil  air  wiiieh  I  oliservo  in  liiiii  will  jirodueo  sonic  fatal  efioct. 
lie  has  two  siil)alteriis  who  are  very  frooil  iiatiired  t'elhtws  ;  \\i)  have 
fifty  saihirs  of  ]ireta;»iie.  a  littUi  iimtinoiis.  bnt  strong  and  vigorous  ; 
almost  all  have  boon  at  the  coil  fishery,  and  that  is  a  good  school. 
The  sen  men  appear  to  be  men  of  judgment  and  experience 

111  spite  of  all  these  hiiidninees  which  T  have  mentioned,  wo  an- 
chored on  tlie  outside  the  bar  the  ^Jd.  at  night ;  we  passed  it  the  od, 
and  for  want  of  wind  we  could  go  no  farther.  Yesterclay  we  were 
again  stopped  all  the  day.  and  tiiis  night  we  have  had  a  storm  from 
the  south,  which  imule  us  give  thanks  to  the  Lord  that  wc  were  not 
at  sea  -^o  ni'ar  the  coast.  I  hope,  madam,  to  write  you  in  a  short 
time  from  St.  Domingo,  whither  our  jiink  is  bouml  to  take  in  a  cargo 
of  sugar,  which  lays  there  ready  for  us.  T  take  the  ailvantage  of  a 
sloop  whicli  is  going  up  to  New  Orleans,  to  st'iid  this  letter  to  you 
by  a  ves.soi  that  is  bound  directly  for  France. 


c  c)  i>  p  I  v: 

d'vnk 

LETT HE  YEN ANT  DE  LA  ELOHLDE, 

ENUOYKK  A  IIOIKX, 

ET  DF.rUIS  AU  SHKJNKUIl  DKt  r,|{()\; 

KN.SKMIil.K 

LE   PLAN   KT   POUTUAICT   Dll  FOIIT 

(^ri-:  i,i:<  ritA.Nrui.s  v  ont  r.vicr. 


Mon  tros  lionore  pero  csti'it  iirrivi!  en  eeste  trrre  ilc  la  Xouuclle 
Franco,  en  bonne  prosjxTite  ot  santo  (Dion  niurcy)  loi[Ucl  ie  prio  tjuc 
ainsi  .soit-il  do  vous.  Ic  n'ay  vonlu  t'aillir  i\  jirLiiilre  la  pl'inie  on  la 
main,  ot  l:t.  iaire  courir  sur  le  papior.  jrxu-  vous  t'airo  vn  potit  dis- 
cours  do  I'islo  de  la  Floride  dicto  la  XuiiuoUo  Franco,  ot  do  la  .sorte 

•  Tliis  is  an  important  ddcument.  iH'cinisc  it  lixcs  tin'  iH'ctisi'  tinii'  ami  place 
of  sottlciucnt  of  tlio  lirst  Frcncli  cdldiiy  in  NCu-  I'liUn'o.  almnt  forty  yi;i in  .iftor 
its  illsi'ovciy  hy  Voniz/ano,  and  uiirrccts  tlio 'nistake  tliat  M  ik- la  UMipc  lias 
falK'n  into  by  tixing  on  IV'nsacola  hay  as  tin:  pla<ij  wliiro  M.  I^amlonicrc  built 
fort  Carolina,  and  planted  a  French  colony.  Tlio  lionor  of  tlic  discovery  of 
this  part  of  North  America,  called  by  tin'  Spaniards,  Florida,  no  donbt  l)elong8 
to  them,  but  after  the  disastrous  ox[)eiiiiions  of  I'onco  ilc'  l^con.  i'andilo  do 
Karvaez,  and  Hernando  ilo  Sotu,  to  take  i>oNsession,  it  was  virtually  aban- 
doned by  the  Crown  of  .S|iaiu,  as  a  vast  wildrnn  >s  unlit  for  cou'iuest  and  un- 
worthy of  her  arms.  It  was  not  thi'ielbre  luilil  the  lluijiunots  of  Fiance,  un- 
der the  patronage  of  Admiral  Colig-ny,  had  iK d  from  the  i)erseculioii  and  intoler- 
anco  of  tho  Catholic  Church  in  the  reign  nl'  Charles  tlie  Ninth,  to  found  a  I'ro- 
tostant  empire  in  New  France  (North  America),  that  the  Crown  of  .Spain  jire- 
tended  to  set  upany  title  to  it.  Tiie  French,  therefore,  are  not  only  entitled  to 
the  honor  ol'  building  the  (iist  fort  and  cstabli>liiny;  the  first  colony  in  that 
country,  but  also  for  having  e.xidorcd  the  ..Missi>>i]ipi  and  tin:  couiiirio  boicler- 
ing  on  it,  and  tho  Gulf  of  ^Mexico,  which  they  afarwards  coloni/ed  and  called 
Louisiana. 


108 


iiisToiiKAi,  roi,r,i:(TiuNri  or  i,oi;isia\a. 


;!. 


ct  iiiaiiicn'  (Ics  suuiiii/fc^.  Ii('i|iu'l  vu'  jiliiira  prtulrc  en  gn',  voiis  sup- 
plifit  trt's  liuiiililoiiiciit  tii'nunir  jiour  excusu  .si  m*  vous  ('scri|it/,  jilus 
ainpliMiH'iit  coiiniio  (Icsircruis.  ^lais  la  oauso  a  o.ste  (|m'  tiauailloiis 
ioiiniflli'iiiciit  ii  iiostrc  t'nrt.  Icijiicl  est  dc;  prcsdiit  cu  (IcIlViiccv 

Ndiis  ]iartisni('S  dii  llaiirc  Ic  wii  do  avril.  l.'ifit.  smiliz  la  con- 
diiictc  (111  sci.trniMir  Kcim';  dc  Jiatulnniiioro.  frciitil-liniimio  I'oiotcuin, 
ayaiit  chariri'  do  truis  iiaiiircs  do  irucrro.  doiit  collo  sur  lai|U<'llo  il 
iiauiircoit  }«(  iioiiiiiu!  /'  Ysiiliriui.  ds  lloinfloiir,  drtt  est  iiiaistrt;  loan 
JiUoas.  diidict  lion  admiral  :  Tautro  loijiud  ostoit  viH-adiniral  tiavijrooit 
lo  ca[i[pituiiio  Vassoiir.  do  Dioppo.  lo(|iiol  f^e  noinnioit  Ic  Vilit  linlo. 
aiiiiucl  ostiiis  C'lnbannio.  ft  ay  fait  niovoyairo;  Taiitro  so  ixiiiniio /c 
Faitlniii.  aiKiiiol  iiaiii,Lfonit  1(!  oapitaiiio  I'iorro  Maroliaiit,  losniiolz  tons 
cu,sonil)lo  (aiioo  I'aydo.  d(!  nostro  Ijon  i)i(!U  nn'auniis  one)  aiios  tou- 
siours  nauigo  cnsomlilo  aiiec  boau  tops,  sans  s'o.^logiior  run  dol'autre 
pl'  do  trois  liouos.  toUoniont  ipio  puuuous  diro  (ri'Udaiit  graoo  a  J)iou) 
'Axunv  o.'^to  dos  plus  liouroux  nauigoas  (pii  fuiot  ianuiis  on  nior.  viiviit 
la  grand  fanour  ipio  eo  bon  Diou  a  vs»;  cnuors  ni)us  ipii  sunmies 
pauuros  poolu^urs  nous  ayut  conduiotz  on  bnnno  prosporito  sans 
trouuor  nul  eraposclioinont  sinon  quo  come  passions  par  la  coste  d'An- 
gletorro  trouuasincs  cnuiron  dix  liuiot  ou  vingt  liunpios.  quo  nous 
cstimos  ostro  Anglois.  (|ui  nons  guottoions  jionr  nous  jiiondro.  ct  los 
ayus  dosoouuorts  nous  nous  niisuios  on  bataille  j^iur  los  rooopuoir : 
car  I'o  nous  auoit  diet  aufit  do  partir  ((u'il  y  auoit  dos  Anglois  (jui 
nous  guottoiont  ]iour  nous  prodro,  ct  los(|uollos  liunjues  nous  ayans 
doscouuors.  ot  nous  voyiis  toutos  noz  osoignos  dosployoos  ot  nus  hus- 
ncs  bastilbumoos  tons  prots  u  oondiatro.  nous  apjiorcoiisnics  I'adniiral 
nt  lo  vis  admiral  dosdiotos  liurijuos  (pii  t'aisoiciit  rogor  losautros  iiur- 
quos  ot  puis  s'on  vindront  droiot  i\  nous,  ot  nous  h  eulx.  ot  u  oosto 
liouro  nous  ajiporoousun's  q'  c'estoiot  liurquos  do  Fladros  ausquollos 
no'  parlasmos,  lo.^'ipu'llos  nous  diront  ((u'ils  all(»iont  on  brouago  pour 
cbargor  du  sol  jianjuoy  nous  los  laissasmos  allor.  ot  prinsuits  nostre 
routto  ius(|ues  au  vingt  douxiomo  iour  do  iuin.  (|U0  nous  soiiinios  ar- 
riuoz  a  lo  vouo  do  la  Nouvollo  Franoo.  autros  t'ois  apjiolor  la  l""l(iride, 
ou  nous  sentismos  vno  donoour  odorit'oranto  do  plusiours  bonnes 
chosos  i\  cause  du  vont  (jui  vonoit  do  la  tt'rro,  ot  voyans  la  torro  fort 
platto  sans  vne  soullo  niontaigno,  fort  droioto  au  log  do  la  nior.  ct 
toute  plaino  do  boaux  arbros.  ct  tons  bois  tout  lo  long  do  la  riuo  do 
la  nior.  le  vous  laisso  a  ponscr  en  quelle  ioyo  nous  pouuions  estro 
tous.  nicsnies  tiuo  sur  Ic  inidy  nous  ousnios  cognoissance  d'vne  fort 
belle  riuioro.  ou  il  print  cnuie  audit  seigneur  de  Laudoniore  y  de- 
scendre  pour  la  recognoistre,  ct  dc  faiet  y  alia  acconipagno  de  douzc 
soldats  seullotnent,  et  si  tost  que  ilz  miront  pied  a,  terre,  troia  roys 


i,i/iTi!i;  \  r.N.w'i'  Dr.  i..\  ri.dUiKi:.  nc  nki  i  r.i.i.i;  rirwcK    lO!' 


,  voiis  sup- 
friptz  plus 
trauuillons 
iico. 

iiiiz  III  con- 

.I'nictfMiiri, 

liiijui'lli'  il 

listn;   lean 

il  iiavijriMiit 

'i/if    linh). 

!  luiiiiim'  Ic 

si[iic!/,  tons 

alios   tou- 

II  (If  lantrc 

iL'i.'  a  J)itMi) 

HUM',  vciyat 

iii   MMiiincs 

i»''rltt!    sans 

coste  d'An- 

'.  i[Uo  nous 

idle,  ct  los 

rcct'puoir : 

Hirlois  ((ui 

"US  avails 

t  iios  lius- 

'ailiiiiral 

iitii's  liur- 

ot   a  ccste 

IUS(pK'll0S 

iiagc  pour 
ics  iidstre 
iiiiuii's  ar- 
il l''liiride, 

S     lioiUiOS 

U'.YYv  fort 
la  iiKT,  et 
I  riuc  do 
ions  estro 
d'vne  fort 
lore  3'  de- 
de  douze 
rois  rojs 


aiU'i'  plus  do  (jiiatro  cons  sauiiaiT's.  vimlrrnt  tmis  salucr  a  Iciir  nii"K' 
Icdict  .sL'igiifiir  dc  Jiaudonicrc.  cii  li'  llatt  it  tons  ain.-i  ciuiiiii''  si  oil 
(idoroit  viH'  iniairi".  Hn  a]ipi(''-  crla  I'aict.  lodirts  rii\  s  Ic  niniriTt  vn 
pen  ]ilus  Ining.  ('iiuin'ii  vn  traict  d'arr.  aiii|ii(l  lltii  aiinit  vin' fort  lullc 
fouillce  do  laurior.  ot  la  s'assiront  fnus  onsoniMo.  on  nioii>trant  siiriie 
d'auoir  grad  iojo  do  nostro  ariiuoc.  ot  aussi  l'ai>aiit  sigiio  (on  nios- 
traiit  lodiot  soiguour  do  L  ludoniort!  ot  !i'  S'llril)  di^aiit  (juo  Iciliot 
seignoiir  cstroit  frcre  du  Sidoil.  ot  ipi'il  yroit  I'airo  iagiiorroauoo  oul.\ 
cotro  lours  onnoniys.  losipiols  lis  appdlot  'ryinaiigoua.  on  nous  faisant 
signos  par  troi.s  inoliiiations  do  nuiot.  tpi'll  n'y  auoit  quo  trois  ioiir- 
neos.  CO  (pio  lodiot  soiguour  do  L  ludoiiioro  lour  proiuist  ipi'il  yroit 
avo(;  oulx.  dot  I'mi  apros  I'aatro.  solun  lour  (jiialito.  so  louorot  ot  lo 
roinoroioront.  I'oii  apros  Icdiot  soiguour  voulut  allor  vno  aiitro  t'ois 
plus  auioiit  ladioto  riviOro.  ot  <.'n  regardant  siir  vno  potito  dune  do 
sable,  out  cognoissanoo  do  la  borno  do  piorro  Idanolio.  la  oil  lo.s  ar- 
nioyrios  da  roy  sont  on  gravoos.  hofuollo  auoit  osto  plaiiteo  par  le 
capitaiiio  Ici'vii    lliliaiilt.*    i\i'   JJioppo.  au  proniior  voyage  iju'il  fict, 


*  Till  Hni,nu'iiiits  as  has  liccii  ^laicil.  \vcr«'  tlio  Protrstaiits  of  Franro.  Uii- 
dor  tliL'  iiatnuiairc  of  tlirir  >ai;;i(ii  us  ^oid  ili-.iiiiu:iii>liccl  Icailcr,  (;ii>|i.iril  ilc  ("o- 
ligny,  Ailmiral  of  Francr  tiny  litr('(l  out  an  oxiiciliiion  to  roiiiiil  a  I'nitrsiaiit 
Einpiro  in  Now  France   .\iiiciie:i. 

On  the  ISili  Felniiary  I'lii.;  lwoslii|is  umler  tlie  coniinaml  of  .lean  Riliaut 
and  Rene  /,;iii(l(Hiniei-e.  (lisIin;:ui^l;ell  Fn  ncli  ollieers  oC  Marino,  set  sail  iVoni 
Dii'pin-  lor  the  i)iirii"sc  of  iiiakini,'  tlii'  lii>t  ]iernianent  Kiiidpean  settlianrnt  in 
tliose  ifirioiis  of  roinaneo.  'I'iiey  arrivecl  un  tlie  eoast  of  Floiiila.  tin'  same 
wliieli  liad  liecii  previously  (U'seril)i(l  liy  Vcra/./aiio  in  \')'l'-\  and  entered  fho 
river  St.  .lolm's.  wliieli  they  called  ."May  ii\<i'  tiecaiise  they  had  discovered  it  on 
the  liist  of  May.  lint  siilisc'iuently  known  hy  the  name  of  .^t.  Matlieo.  it  liiin^ 
the  day  on  which  the  S|ianiards  inhumanly  massaercil  thi'  French  colony.  'J'lie 
FiNiH-h  navii^ators  extended  tlnir  researches  nloni;  the  wlioje  coast  to  the  ca])OS 
of  Virginia  and  returned  to  the  river  ol'  Mny,  where  they  set  up  a  pillar  of  stone, 
on  which  they  oiiirravtMl  the  arms  of  I'lanee  m^  a  si<,Mi  of  lierJiiriMliction.  From 
thence  they  pursued  a  northerly  coiiise  ainl  continued  to  plant  columns  and 
to  take  i)ossession  of  tin'  country  after  the  \isiial  forms.  conl'crrinL''  nann'^  upon 
several  rivers  which  they  lH)rrowed  from  similar  well  known  rivers  in  France. 
They  finally  ontereil  Port  Royal  river,  where  they  Imilt  Fort  Tharlcs,  whieli 
they  inaiiiied.  and  returned  to  France  tor  t'urther  aid  and  su])iilies. 

On  the  i>"2d  Ajiril.  IGtU,  M.  Laudoniiiere  sailed  tVoin  France  in  three  ships, 
with  additional  emigrants  and  aiil  and  succor  for  the  colony,  wliich  he  reached 
on  the  lioth  .Tune.  On  the  :!Otli  .Tune  he  entered  the  river  May  where  he  laiilt 
a  fort  which  lie  called  Carolina,  in  honor  of  Charles  IX.  It  was  Iniilf  in  the 
form  of  a  triau^de.  "On  tlie  side  towards  the  west,  which  was  towards  the 
land,  it  was  enclosed  by  a  lireastwork  and  towers;  on  the  side  towanls  the  river 
it  was  enclosed  by  a  jialisadi;  of  timber ;  on  the  south  side  it  was  defended  by  a 
bastion,  with  a  house  for  the  ammunition.    In  the  midst  was  a  great  court  or  es- 


'!        <!' 


J 


M 


i  ! 


2U0 


IIISI'OIUCAI.    COM-KCTIOV;)    OF    L(lL'l!»l.\NA. 


(I'd'ci)  doiit  Ifilic't  .scii^iKHir  do  Laniktiiicn!  fiit  fort  ayso.  et  si  rcoog- 
nt'iit  cstru  en  la  riiiirri;  (sclun  lo  ikmh  (|ho  Icilict  Ii'iiii  Itihaiilt  liiy 
avoit  (liniin';  A  so  arriiu'-i'  i|iii  fiit  an  premier  imir  df  may).  l'a|i|ie!lant 


pour  eetto  caii.se   la  niiicre  ilc;  .'lay  :  et  mms  (lemcurasmos  jirt' 


(U 


Ifl 


dicte  lioriie  respaec  de  dcmic  lieurc.  i('  lesilicts  saiiuaL'cH  a[i|Mirteri'nt 
du  mil  de  laiirier.  et  do  leur  bioiiiiairc  cxcolleiit.  et  ciiihrassant  ladietc 


born 


(!.  cnaiis  tons  n/iih 


in'j:nii(i.  como  voulaiit  diro   en   I'aisaiit  cela, 

II; 


»ju  lis  aiiroieiit  vietnin!  contro  leiirs  eiiiiemys.  iiuils  n|)|iellaii{ //////^/m- 
g<iii((.  et  !['  Ir  Sol.il  auoit  cmioye  lediet  seiiriieiir  de  Laiidnniere.  son 
frere.  ]m)11I'  les  reiien^'er.  doiit  apres  leur  avoir  faiet  (jiieliiues  jtresents, 
It'dict,  seiLMieiir  de  L  nidinii<'i'e  cominada  so  retiior  \\  bord.  laissaiit 
cos  |>aiivos  gens  crier  I't  plenrer  do  notro  departio  :  tellemont  nn'il 
y  on  out  vn  kMjVid  so  mist  dans  la  banpio  jiar  toroo,  et  vint  couelior 
ii  bord.  et  le  veiidredy  tut  ronvoyo  ii  terro. 

J'nis  ayiit  louo  ruoro  ot  rogofvt  la  oosto  iusrjucs  an  dimancbo  (|uc 


no    (lesoouvrismes  vno 


boll 


0  riuiore.  on   lainudlo   lediet  seiLMienr 


Landuidere   onno}a  lo  eapjiitaino  Vassour.  aeco|pa;:n6  do  dis  soMats, 


lout  I'on  ostois 


iin 


ot  .sitost   (luo  fousmos  on  terre  trounasme: 


'I' 


au 


tro  roy  au(  c  trois  do  ses  tilz  ot  j)lns  do  dou.v  co 


s  sauva<'e: 


un 

leur.s 


fommos  et  leuis  jietits  onfans.  U'ljuol  roy  ostoit  tort  aage,  ot  nous  t'ai- 
soit  siifno  auoir  veu  oimi  li'Mioos.  assauoir  los  on 


itVis  d 


0  SOS  onfans  ius 
fa 


quos  ii  la  oiii([UU'nio  liirnoo.  JiOijnel  aprcs  nous  auoir  taict  assooir 
sus  du  laurior.  ijui  ostoit  au  pros  do  luy.  nous  faii-t  signc  do  li/inan- 
goiia.  aussi  bion  (pio  los  autros  :  mais  au  rosto  los  plus  grands  larron.s 
du  mondo,  oar  ils  proncnt  aussi  bio  du  pied  (pio  do  la  main,  nonobs- 
tant  qu'ils  n'ayont  ijuo  dos  poaul.K  deuant  lours  parties  liotouses,  ct 
toutcs  painotos  do  noir,  en  fort  beau  compartiment :  et  les  fommos 
ont  fi  I'entour  d'ollos  uno  cortaino  mousse  l)lanclio  fort  loguo.  eouu- 
rant  fort  mamoUos  ot  leurs  parties  liontousos.  fort  oboissantes  a  lours 
niarys.  non  larronnessos  comme  les  homes,  mais  fort  enuiouses  dcs 
baguos  et  carcans  pour  pondro  a  leur  col ;  et  vn  lour  ayat  sunde  la- 


plaiiado,  where  was  built  a  corp!.  de.  i:<ir<Ir  and  Inmscs  on  tlie  other  side  to- 
wards tlio  iiortli."  In  the  followini,'  year.  l;'>i;.")  ,M.  Rilimit  returned  ti>  the 
coleny  with  a  hiri;e  lleet.  and  relieved  .M.  [..andonniere  ofliis  I'oiiiniand.  whoaf- 
terwanls  sailed  tor  France.  Unrortiuiately  Ii  r  this  colony  and  the  pcrniaiience 
of  French  settlements  in  Florida.  Rihaut's  tleet  was  slii]iwrecked  and  dispersi'd 
in  a  storm,  'i'lie  Spaniards  aCterward  fell  suddenly  upon  the  ilefeiicek'ss  colo- 
nists, and  committed  the  most  crnid  exeesscs.  Thus  was  the  French  colony  of 
Florida  or  New  France  destroyed  in  its  infancy  liy  an  attack  as  cowardly  as  it 
was  detcstahle  Cor  its  barharity.  It  was  founded  at  a  iieriod  when,  in  cdusc- 
qui'iice  of  discoveries  an<l  settlement.s  made  to  the  north  ainl  south,  anterior  to 
thos(^  of  the  I'Jiglish  or  .Spaniards,  I'raticu  claimed  and  extended  her  sovereignty 
over  the  whole  of  the  now  continent. 


t  si  rccog- 
liltaiilt  liiy 
r:i|i|i('!liti)t 
s  pit's  la- 
p  port  I' rent 
aiit  hi'liftc 
isaiit  ci'la, 
lilt  I  If  Hid  n- 
'iiiirri'.  .son 
's  presents, 
(1,  liiissant 
iiicnt  i|iril 

lit  CdlK'luT 

laiichc  (juc 
'iiriHiir  de 
Is  siililats, 
lasiius  un 
iirt's.  K'urs 
t  iKMis  t'ai- 
L'lifaiis  ins- 
et  assi'oir 
le  I ijiiiiin- 
Is  larruns 
I.  iimiu])S- 

tcllSi'S,    ot 

s   I'ei nines 

Ml'.     CIPIUI- 

es  a  leiirs 

eu.ses  des 

sonde  la- 

cr  mMu  to- 
it'd  to  the 
1(1.  wlKiaC- 
'rniiiiieiice 

jVpcrscil 
'less  eolo- 

cdldiiy  of 
imlly  as  it 

ill    cnlusc- 

iitt'iior  to 
ivereii;iity 


M'.TTIIK  VKNANT  DK  I. A    ri.OlllDE,  OU  NOlTKI.l.K   FR  \X(  T,.    201 

diete  riiiit're.  fnt  trnuu*';  assez  bonno  eftninditt'  d'cntroe  pour  lo.s 
naniri's.  niais  non  jias  cnniinc  cello  de  May.  tellenu't  ijuV'stant  lediet 
fieiirneiir  do  liainloniere  rctniirne  i\  Imrd,  delihera  aueo  lo  cappitainc 
Vassetir.  retmiriier  h  la  diete  riiiiere  de  Ma}',  et  le  niardy  on  snviiant 
niius  leiiasnies  lanerc  pmir  y  retovnier.  aiiijuel  lien  lo  veiidredy  on 
giiyuant  nrriuasinos  inpontinont  on  torre.  on  lonsnies  roonz  lioimraMo- 
liiont  do.s  sauunges  ooninic  la  proniiere  fnis.  ot  iidiis  nioiieict  an  lieu 
niesino  rm  do  present  anos  faiet  nostro  fort  le(|nel  si?  nnnio  lo  fort  do 
la  Carreliiio.  ot  la  on  iioninie  ainsi  pareo  ipio  lo  roy  a  noin  (,'!iarles. 
•Inijiiol  on  ponno/,  vooir  lo  ponrtraiot  ey  apres. 

liOipu'l  fort  est  snr  la  dieto  riniere  do  May.  cnniron  six  lii'iics 
dfis  la  rinioro  loiiig  dc;  la  nier.  loipiel  en  ]ieu  do  t«''ps  auos  si  liio  fur- 
tiiio  ijiio  I'anns  mis  en  defenee.  ayns  les  eon.oditoz  fort  linniies.  leau 
insijni!  dans  nostro  fosse  dii  fort :  niesnios  anoiis  trouno  vii  certain 
bois  d'Esipiinc.  (jni  sort  frr;'\deniet  '^i  fairo  la  diotto.  ipii  est  la  nioindrc 
vcrtii  (jiii  est  on  lay:  car  Teaii  ipii  en  proeedo  a  telle  vertu  en  elle 
quo  si  vn  lioiiiine  on  foinnio  niaigre  en  Imiioit  contiimoiiient  i(iiel(pies 
teps,  il  doviodroit  fort  gras  et  replet.  ayi'vt  antres  lions  reiiiedos. 
Nous  auos  ontondu  par  les  cliiriiririos  (pi'olie  so  vend  fort  liieti  on 
Franco,  ot  y  est  liif'  recueillie  :  le  dit  seijinenr  de  liaudonioro  a  dofedu 
II  nous  autros  soldats  d'en  onuoyer  par  les  jncsens  nauiros,  ot  n'v  a 
q'  lay  (pii  on  enuoyc  pour  fairo  |n-eset  an  roy.  et  aux  autres  jirincos 
do  Fraeo.  ot  i\  inoiisieur  Tadiiiiral :  auec  do  Tor  d'viio  initio  ipi'auos 
trouno  pardeca:  inais  a  doiiiie  cogo  s'on  fournir  pour  los  preiniers, 
nauiros  (jui  rouicndrot:  tclleinot  (pi'auec  I'aydo  de  Diou  s'on  feray 
bono  proui.'^ion.  m'assourant  (ju'ello  sera  fort  rocjuise  par  de  la,  ou  en 
autre  lion.  Voulant  lodict  seigneur  de  liandoniero  s'il  y  a  jiroffit  (pie 
SOS  soldats  en  aycnt  lour  part.  Auons  tronuo  aussi  vne  certaine 
sorte  do  canellc,  niais  non  do  la  bonno,  cpiolijuc  pen  de  soarlatto,  et 
aussi  do  la  rubarhe.  niais  fort  pen :  toutes  fois  auos  esporance  ipi'aucc 
le  temps  on  pourra  s'assouri.T  des  conioditoz  (pii  y  ponrrot  cstro.  A 
vingt-cinrj  lioues  do  nostro  fort  y  a  vne  riuiero  la(iuello  so  noinnie  lo 
lourdain,  en  la([uclle  so  trouno  do  fort  belles  peaux  do  niartros  sub- 
lines, auijuel  lieu  csporons  aller  auec  I'aido  do  J)ieu,  auaiit  (ju'il  soit 
six  sepmaincs.  An  surpl'  il  y  a  fort  bean  cedro  rouge  come  sang,  et 
cos  bois  en  sont  cy  plains  q'  co  n'ost  (|uasi  autre  clioso:  et  aussi  force 
pins,  ot  d'vno  autre  sorte  do  bois  (jui  est  fort  iaulne :  et  mosnies  los 
bois  sont  si  plaincs  de  vignos.  que  vous  no  scauriez  niarclicr  deux  pas 
que  no  trouuex  force  raisins,  et  comencet  a  present  a  nieurir,  tellc- 
ment  que  nous  csporons  fiiiro  bientost  du  vin.  (pii  sera  quelquo  peu 
bon.     Aussi  lo  seigneur  de  Laudoniore  dolibera  ((uiiizo  lours  apres 

la  fortification  du  fort,  cnuoyer  deux  barques  i^i   Tymangoua,  et  de 
1  'J 


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2(»2 


lll."*T(»III('.\I,    COI.I.KCTIO.N'S    (»I"    I.DriSIANA. 


fiiict  Ic  HiiiiKMly  (|uiiizicHiiic  ioiir  dc  co  preset  iiiois  y  allcrt't.  dcnit  os- 
toil  C(imlii(!tenr  muiisiuur  d'Aiiti;riiy  ct  lo  caip|iitaiiio  Va.sstur,  ct  y 
duiiKMirart't  iusijiu;  aii  xviii  on  siis|i(aiit.  ot  cstut  ilt;  rutour  a|i|i(irte- 
rout  fi)rt  Itonos  iioiuioUos,  disaus  aauir  doscdiiuert  la  uiiiit!  dUr  ct 
d'ar^'i't,  aui|Utd  lion  y  pout  auoir  (Miuiron  do  iiostro  fort  soixaiito 
lieiios,  ot  si  Ion  y  va  par  imstro  riviorci  do  May  :  on  ostfis  aninoz 
trairii|iiorot  auoc  los  saiuia;:os.  los(jiiol.s  oiiront  errand  orainto,  st'  tciii'is 
tousioiirs  sur  lour  gardos,  a  oauso  do  lours  voisiii.s  ijui  lour  IVu  tou- 
siours  la  guorro.  c6iiio  ils  iiio.strcri't  dopuis  audiot  soiguoiir  d'Aiiti;.'iiy, 
ct  audiot  cappitaiiio  Vas.sour.  Ji'arriuoo  fut  tollc  ipi'ils  laissorOt 
Icurs  aliiiadis  sur  lo  b(nt  do  loan,  la  ou  fut  mis  par  le  di<'t  soigiiour 
d'Aiitigny  i|uol(jUo  inaroliiidiso  ot  foit  rotiror  los  Itaripios,  los  tjuollca 
cstaiit  rotiroos  losdiots  sauuagos  appr(iolia:;t  do  lours  alniadis  ou  truu- 
uerciit  ladioto  uiaroliandiso,  ot  coinoiipot  i^i  s'assourer,  faisaiit  sigiie 
q'  Id  s'approcliast,  criixt  A/ni/  Tlnipuhi  I'dnnssiiDii !  (jui  est  autrit  ji 
diro  frero  ot  amy  ooiiio  los  doigtz  do  la  main.  ('<,'  ijuo  voyaiif  li-  diot 
soignour  d'Antigny  ot  le  cappitaino  Vassour  s'approoliaront  ot  ayi'mt 
rccous  gn'idos  corimonics,  los  moneret  h  lour  village,  ct  los  traiotoret 
11  lour  mode,  <jui  est  do  ddnor  du  mil  et  do  loan  boullic  auco  vno  oer- 
tain  liorhe  do  laipielle  ils  vsent,  »jui  est  fort  bone,  en  sorte  »jne  s'il 
plaiot  Ti  Diou  i!o'  doner  la  grace  de  viuro  cnoor  deux  ans,  nous  ospc- 
r6s  auoc  I'ayde  (ju'il  plaira  au  roy  nous  enuoyor,  luy  gardor  la  dioto 
mine.  Entre  cy  et  lodict  tops  ix'spcro  oopredre  la  manicre  do  faire 
desdits  sauuagcs.  lcs(juels  sont  i\>rt  bones  gons,  estat  la  traflioipie 
auuoc  eulx  fort  aisoe,  mostrant  par  signe  (pi'ils  baillcrot  autant  d'or 
et  d'argont  <['  la  grfxdeurdc  ce  iju'on  lour  baillora,  soit  basclics,  scrpcs, 
cousteux,  ou  carcans  do  petite  vallour. 

le  n'ay  voulu  oublier  a  vous  escrirc  quo  liier  vendredy  fut  prins 
vn  grand  cocodrille,  de  la  mcsnio  sorte  d'vn  lozard,  mais  a  los  bras 
come  line  pcrsonne  auec  les  ioineturcs,  ot  cinq  doigtz  aux  pattos  de 
dcuant,  et  (|uatre  a  cclles  de  derriere:  duquol  la  poau  est  enuoye  en 
Frace  par  les  preses  nauires  <|ui  s'en  retournet :  en  la  dicte  riuiere 
on  no  voit  autres  clioses  quo  cocodrilles,  et  en  iettat  la  seine  dans 
leau  pour  pescher.  lo  pred  des  plus  tcrribles  poissons  que  iamais  loa 
ayt  encores  veu.     Adieu. 


(I 


It  ; 


t,  (Idllt    os- 

ist'ur,  ft  y 
r  apipitrto- 

iiio  d'ur  et 
t  soixiiutc 
as  aniuoz 
C,  81!  tciuis 
iir  iot  tou- 
irAiiti^rny, 

S    laisSLTL't 

:t  seijriu'ur 
Ics  (pit'Uca 
lis  on  trou- 
isiint  (<ifruo 
;st  iiut;it  i\ 
•ant  1<!  diet 

lit  ot  il\  KUt 

s  truicterot 
ICC  viio  cor- 
rto  t|Uo  s'il 

lums  osjie- 
LT  la  tliftc 

re  do  I'airo 
I  trailifiiue 
autaiit  d'or 

ics,  scrpos, 

fut  prius 
a  los  bras 

pattos  de 
euuoye  en 
etc  riuiere 
ieme  dans 
iauiais  loa 


IIISTOIUi:    MKM()|{ MtLi: 


II  u 


DKUNIKIl   V()VA(iIO   AIJX    IXDKS, 


MKU    APl'EI.F. 


L  A   F  L  0  HIDE,  (NOT  M  E  L  L  E   E  11 A  N  C  E , ) 


I'AIT    TAIl    LK    CAI'ITAINE    IICAN    lUUAIT 


ET    KNTIIKI'IMS    PAR    I,K    COMM A.NDEMKNT     III'    HOY, 

i:n  L'an  m.d.  lxv. 


Le  roy  et  plusioiirs  princes  ct  seigneurs  en  son  conseil ;  aupa- 
rauat  (juo  les  troubles  et  tunuiltes  du  la  guerre  civile  s'eHleuas!«ent  en 
ce  royauiiie,  auoit  iirrestc  d'enuoyer  vn  bon  nobre  d'honunes  aucc 
plusieurs  nauiros  en  I'vne  des  contrees  des  Indes,  nonitnee  la  Fluride, 
nouuelleniant  cogiiuo  et  descouuerte  par  les  Frfu-ois,  panjuoy  I'edit 
de  pacification  public  de  I'autorite  de  sa  niaie.^te,  le  propos  se  cou- 
tinua  ot  pour  exeeuter  renterprise,  lean  llibaut.  liAnie  de  canir  et 
de  conseil,  et  grandeniet  exeree  en  la  marine,  fut  niande  a  la  cuur  et 
receut  la  coniission  du  roy  de  faire  eijuippor  sept  nauires,  qui  poi-tas- 
sent  honinies,  viures  et  munitions  et  de  la,  I'honorant  du  titre  de  son 
lieutenat,  et  chef  de  tons  ces  gens  de  guerre,  (|u'il  luy  auoit  coni- 
mande  leuer,  a  I'expedition  d'vnc  telle  enteri)ri.se,  et  luy  fut  expres* 
seinent  defendu  de  n'attenter  aucune  desceute  en  quebpie  autre  pays 
ou  isle  quo  ce  fust,  singulieremet  en  nuUe  qui  seroit  sous  la  seigneu- 
rie  du  roy  d'Espagne,  ains  que  singlat  la  grand'  mer  Oeeane,  il  fist 
route  droit  a  la  Florido.  Les  nouuelles  de  ce  voyage  a  faire  fureut 
incontinet  diuulguees  par  tout,  et  plusieurs  furent  persuadez  a  se 
submettre  au  commandement  de  ce  capitainc,  et  sous  I'autorite  du 
roy,  menez  toutcs  fois  d'affections  diuerses,  car  les  vns  estoycnt  in- 
citcz  d'vn  dcsir  honestc  et  louable  d'auancer  en  la  cognoissace  de 
I'univers,  pour  en  rapporter  la  science  telle  que  le  occur  de  I'lionmie 


i-ll 


'■I 


204 


iirsiToKicAi.  <•(»!, I, r.criuvrt  oi-  l,(lUlsl,\^fA. 


r;^' 


Men  (iHxis  (li'.xiro  iinturclli'inciit.  fiyaiit  ttpiiiiiiii  t\\\'\i  rr]t\  la  iianifrntion 
Iciir  a|i|Hirtiiiiit  ^'r:iil  aiiaiita^'i',  Ics  aulirs  cseliaiin't  /.  riitiir  en   Ifur 
cuMir  f^iirrriir.  si  rcinlirciit  au.-xi :  aiiiHiM  iiiicux  ciu-mirir  la  taNclu'rie 
dt'H  c:uix.  i(M('  jiiisanH  K's  nniii'S  .ic  rrtiror  h  Iciir  pn-iiiit-rc  coditioii.  co 
qui  jiuiiiKjit  aiissi  bitii  fort  inciter  li's  vii.s  ct  Ifs  autrts.  o'  cstnit  lt> 
liriiit  (|Mi  (••iiii'ipit  jar  dica.  c't'st  a  .nauDir  i|iic  la  I'Moritlc  jirDimttdit 
It'  siillisaiit  cniitriiffiiit'iit  (Ic  tout  CI'  i|M('  riiuiiiiiic  |iuiirr(iit  ilcsinr  en 
la  tcric.  d'aiitMnt  ijuc  cc  pays  icccuoit  dii  cicl  viio  taiK'ur  ct  (Icinciirc 
siti^iilicrc.  (piaiiil  il  iic  scroit  tic  jflncc  no  f,'('I«5  »lc  la  midc  froiilurc  dii 
scfitciitrion.  nc  rusty  ct  l>riislu  ilc  Tardciir  dii  niidi  ;   ipic  Ics  cliani|i3 
sans  cstre  laliourrz  mi  auciiiicrnct  cxcrcc/,,  jiniduiscnt  asstz  dc  '|ii">y 
Boiistcnir  ct  siiHisaiiiniciit  cntrctciiir  la  vie  dii  jiciiph;  ijiii  y  lialiitc- 
rrtit  ;   iju'il  .•^cinMc  i|iic  jMHir  in  i'airc  vn  pays  de  plus  fcrtilcs  ct  ridics 
do  ttmto  la  rundcur  dcs  terrcs.  nc  scroit  rc([uis  sinoii  <|u'lMtinincs  dc- 
li^rc-*  ct  iiidustricux  i|ui  cniplnyasscnt  la  Imntc  vt  frraissc  dc  la  tcrrc, 
u  riitilitc  pu  <rcnre  liuinain.  <|irayaiit  sun  cstt'diic  dc  raiiuiloii  au  scp 
tr'frion.  (piasi  on  parcillc  lonijitiidc  t|uc  nostro  Kuropc.  ct  la  latitude 
do  '-i'-'i  dcgrcz.  SDuucnt  (|u'cllc  est  iVappcc  dcs  rayons  dc  son  liaut  so- 
leil.  rc(Miit  en  ellt!  force  clialcur.  la(|Melle  toutes  fois  ost  tcinpcrcc.  non 
Bculcmcnt  dc  la  fraisclicur  dc  la  nuit  ou   do  la  roscc  du  cicl,  niais 
aussi  do  frracicuses  pluses  en  ahondancc,  dont  Ic  gazon  on  deuiont 
fertile,  voires  dc  sorto  (|uc  I'licrljo  forto  y  croist  on  Inmtcur  admira- 
ble, <(u'ollu  est  riclio  d'or  ct  dc  toutcs  sortos  d'aniuiaux:  tju'ayant  Ics 
champs  plcins  ct  spaeicux  ;  cc*  ncantnioins  aussi  scs  montagncs  sont 
asscz  liautcs.  les  llcuvcs  plaisans  a  nicrucillcs,  arlircs  diucrs.  rendant 
la  goniino  odorifcranto.     Quo  tout  ccla  oonsidcrc,  ne  pouuoit,  autre- 
nicnt  adu(Uiir  (juo  I'lionic  no  trouuast  la  grand  plaisir  ct  singulicro 
delectation,      l^lusieurs   done   allcclicz    dc    tollcs  pntnicsscs,  aueuns 
aussi  d'vn  auarc  desir  dc  so  fairc  riclics  en  co  voyage,  a  cause  dc  I'or, 
80  rcndoyant  par  troupes  en  c«!sto  villa,  oil  la  nionstro  so  deuoit  faire, 
pour  en  elioisir  ceux  ijui,  au  iugcmcnt  du  lieutenant  du  roy  en  coste 
part,  so  trouucrnyant  Ics  plus  idoinos  a  continuer  I'cnterprise.     Or, 
elle  ne  fut  ji.is  si  tost  niiso  en  effect,  conic  aueuns  le  desiroyent.  ot 
coiix  ])rincipalcnicnt  (|ui  auoyent  rcceu  les  soldats  ct  lour  hostel ;  car 
ils  cstoycnt  oiiuycz  d'auoir  lioniincs  (|ui  fissct  telle  clicro  sans  payer 
lour  cseot,  coniLion  (ju'oii  lour  proniit  aucc  asseurancc,  qu'en  bref 
temps  its  seroyent  contentcz  ct  satisfaits.  ct  furent  (juatre  niois  ct 
plus  on  ccsto  villo  a  fairo  la  piaffe ;  ct  tinalonict  ils  furent  obligcz, 
par  scrnieiit  solennel,  dc  so  porter  fidcloiiicnt  au  seruice  du  roy,  re- 
ceuant  la  paye  pour  six  niois,  cc  ijui  ne  vint  pas  au  contcnteinent  du 
coronal,  car  enuiron  lo  innis  do  may,  que  de  rechcf  le  denombrement 
des  honimes  se  deuoit  faire  pour  embaniuer,  aueuns  de  ceux  inesmes 


iiui;:iif  Kill 
•  ell  li'iir 
rjixi-licrie 

llilioll.  t'C 

ostoit  Ic 
ri)im>ttiiit 
lisiriT  en 

(Ifiiicurc 
i)iiliirt'  tlu 
s  cliiinijis 
1,  «k'  i|unj' 
y  lialtitc- 

I  ot  riclics 
iniiiOM  <li.'- 
f  la  tcrre, 
1)11  an  f^op 
la  latitiiile 

II  liaiit  so- 
ipcn'O.  noil 

cirl,  nuiis 
Ml  dciiieiit 
ir  adiiiira- 
I'ayaiit  Ics 
.Mu;s  (ioiit 
n'lidaiit 
it.  autre- 
iiijruliorc 
aucnns 
so  dc  Tor, 
iioit  fairc, 
en  costc 
iso.     Or, 
nyoilt.  ot 
ostcl ;  car 
ns  payor 
u'on  brof 
e  iiiois  ot 
t  obligez, 
u  roy,  re- 
eiiiont  du 
inbreiiiout 
X  mcsnics 


\\% 


Itr.UNIKK    V0V\«;K    AIX    t\|)K«,  or    NomrKM.E    KHANCK.     '205 

Hui  lUKiyi'iit  tituclit'  1.1  payi'  ^c  foriiii'i.s  viio  oimscioiioc  d'vn  xi  Iniij;  vny. 
ngo.  owtiiiiiHZ  aiissi  d>'  lu  face  luirbarc  do  Iti  iiior,  oliaiigoroiit  iiicmiti- 
noiit  Iciir  pri»pos,  et  so  refifr^ft  seorolcincnt  sniiw  pnsMor  plus  mitro, 
Or,  pour  allor  au  dt  i 'it  <lo  costc  diVsolutioii  it  di'sbaiicboiiioiit  d'linm- 
iiu's  (pii  so  pnuiiottnict  Is  furont  do  rcoli'-f  instaiimiout  appob  z.  ot 
lour  tut  oiuiimando  ipio  tout  'iH-niitiiiot  ot  w  l;i  iiiriiif  liouro  s'oiiiltar- 
«|imssoTit,  i|ui  f'ut  le  !()•  iour  do  may  (I '»<)."().  ot  doinourusiiioH  on  <-oMto 
rado  iiisijuoH  au  'I'i"  iour  du  iiiosino  niois,  nftoudaus  i|iiol(|iios  bcstiaiJH 
ct  farinoK.  ho  iiombro  dos  lioinos  (|ui  iiiouton-l  |iiMir  lo  vnya;.'('  cs- 
t(»it  do  tmis  COS.  odiiipriiis  auoinis  artisans  aiioo  lours  t'ainiUos;  ot 
c6n>o  iKiUH  attondioiis  lo  ciiiiiitiandoiii<>nt  ot  ooinodito  do  iinstro  lion- 
tonant  du  roy,  ot  vont  fauorablo.  lo  niardi,  'il  diidit  niois.  no'  t'usiiica 
UHsaillis  do  vents  iinpotuoux.  soiifHants  d'vno  jiart  ot  d'autro  :  dr  sorto 
<|uo  los  vajruos  s'ontroroi'ontroyot  d'vno  t'aiNin  indioiblo.  ot  ddniicrciit 
telle  frayeur  \\  nos  niariniors.  ijuils  no  tr(iini(;ront  autre  roniodo  ni 
nioye  propre,  sinon  coiipcr  los  cables,  miittor  los  anor'ps  et  nou.s  aban- 
dtinnor  au  gro  du  vont,  lo  plus  violent  ijui  fust,  vii  vent  do  nord  ost^ 
leipud  nous  oliassa  do  tidlo  vitosso.  (|u'inooiitinont  nous  vuliisinos  au 
IIauro-d((<jraoo.  ot  li'i  domourasiuos  trois  lours,  attondas  nouuoUos 
do  Dieppe,  par  vn  bri;,'aiidin  (jiio  nous  y  eiiiioyasiiios  oxjires  ;  ot  puis 
nmis  appari'illasines  do  cost  rado  lo  "^tj  du  inosiiio  niois  ;  <'t  ooinnio 
nous  tondions  a  .singler  droit  u  inistre  route,  nous  trouuasnios  incon- 
tinent vont  contrairo,  et  nous  coiiiinaiida  d'allor  torrir  ot  pnsor  los 
aneres  en  I'islc  d'Wioli,  I'viic  dos  (MuitiHies  d'An^lcterro.  oii  los  Aiig- 
lois  vouhirent  cognoistro  do  nostro  ontrepriao  ;  ct  nous  ayans  eogiious 
s'oflTrirent  ;\  nous  fairc  plaisir.  Or  du  iour  i[ue  nous  arriuasnios  la, 
*|ui  fut  le  5i8  do  ce  niois,  nous  y  deniourasnies  aiioroz  ius(iuos  au  14 
do  iuin;  ct  lo  iour  nicsino  iinus  ousnios  lo  vent  nord-ost  a  souliait  ot 
louasnios  los  voiles  pmir  olias'  or  droit  fi  la  Florido.  la<iuollo  nous  ap- 
potions  coininc  uno  nouuollo  Franee,  et  demcurasnios  singlans  la 
grand'incr  Oceane  deux  niois  cntiers  prouiicr<iuo  puissions  auoir  au- 
cune  oognoissance  des  terros  do  la  Florido,  rcseruo  I'vnc  <les  islos  dos 
Entilles,  appellee  des  paysaiis  Vooaiouipies.  et  en  franoois  la  (Jraiid- 
Lucoiso  ;  aucuns  dos  nostres  la  voulurent  ap[)eler  da  noin  do  Cath- 
crine-la-lloiiie,  more  du  roy ;  et  disoiit  qu'oUo  est  do  '27  dogrez  do 
latitude ;  nous  trouvasmes  aussi  (|uol([iio  nauire  a  deux  cents  lieiics 
do  la  vers  I'eau,  niais  nous  nc  I'approoliasmes  do  plus  pros  (jue  do 
trois  au  (juatre  lioiies.  Lors(iue  no'  fusuios  arrivez  en  la  torre  do  la 
Florido,  ((ui  fut  lo  14  d'aoust  (l.lGr)),  nous  apperccusmes  le  feu  q'  los 
Indes  nous  faisoyent ;  nous  onuoyasnics  le  brigandin  qui  doscouurit 
vno  petite  rluiere ;  ot  au-dessus  do  renibraciieure  s'y  trouuorant 
quolques  sauuages  (jul  troquerent  quolque  argent  a  do  la  iiiarchadisc 


,ri\ 


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206 


HISTOUrCAL    COl.MX'TIONS    OI'    I.OIISI  .WA. 


que  nous  anions  portoo  di,'  cm  ]iiiys.  <;t,  disoji't  ^ui'  rarficnt  lour  ostnit 
denioure  d'vn  nauirc  ITi  cschoiie.  leuunaiit  dew  Entilles;  no'  y  trou- 
uasnics  aussi  un  seul  Kspagnol  escliappe  d'vii  naufrage  il  y  auoit 
vingt  ans  passez,  le(|uel  nous  rcccuilllsines  auoc  nous,  ct  nous  ennuis' 
mcs  s'il  auroit  cntondu  (iuel(|iio  cIiohc  dos  Fianrois,  et  ou  ils  pour- 
royont  cstre  canipcz ;  IcMpiol  nous  rospnudit  ne  rien  sauoir  autre- 
clioso  (jue  CO  qu'il  auoit  entedu  des  sauuages,  c'cnI  (pi'ils  estoyet 
placoz  a  cincjUi'ite  lieiies  plus  nord  (juc  Ic  licti  ou  nuus  anions 
tcrri.  Or  de  la  nous  resinglasmcs  loin  au  long  do  la  costc.  (pii  nous 
scnibla  basso  ot  la  torro  sablonnouso.  jilantoe  d'arbros  fort  petis.  ct  y 
sont  aussi  los  niaroes  (jui  vit-nnont  du  snsuost,  asscz  petitos.  et  a  nii- 
clieniin,  de  la  nous  descouvrisnies  vne  riuiere  (jue  nos  gens  aupara- 
vant  auoyant  appellee  la  lliuiere  de  May,  ou  niesnies  les  niarees  ne 
sont  grandes,  qui  viennet  du  nord  nord-est,  et  peut-on  voir,  a  oausc 
dcla  basse  eau.la  bouelie  desancrcs.et  auoiis  esprnuu*';  (jua  troisou  (jua- 
tro  lieiies  do  la  terre  il  n'y  a  que  six  ou  sept  brasses  d'eau  ou  enuiron  ; 
il  me  souuiet  aussi  (ju'entre  la  riuiere  de  3Iay  et  vne  autre  ([u'ou 
apjielle  d'Ay,  nous-en  cogneusines  vne  autre  (jui  deineure  nord  de 
eclle  do  May  enuiron  deux  lieiies,  et  la  niouillans  I'ancre  eliasquo 
nuict  a  liuit  en  neuf  brasses  d'eau.  trouuios  foiids  de  sable,  aucunes 
fois  de  grauicrs,  et  aucunes  fois  do  vase  ;  nous  sondasnies  aussi  la 
riuiere  des  Dauphins,  et  la  trouuasnies  haute  sur  la  barre  de  deux 
brasses:  niais  la  incr  y  eroist  de  trois  quartiers  de  brasse ;  ct  apres 
que  nous  eusnies,  le  long  de  la  coste,  regarde  a  descendre,  le  27 
d'aoust  (1505)  no"  vinsnies  uiouiller  a  la  rade  de  la  rieuiere  de  May.  a 
sept  brasses  d'eau,  denieurans  de  I'eau  a  la  terre  enuiron  deux  lieiies. 
Le  niereredi,  90  du  niesnie  niois.  nuus  entrasmes  trois  des  petits  na- 
uircs  et  ehassasnies  a  mot  la  riuiere.  droit  au  fort  de  la  Carreline,  que 
noz  gens  auoyent  auparauant  basti  pour  leur  estre  lieu  d'asseurance 
et  de  retraite,  jdaee  assez  comode,  ta'it  pour  la  riuiere  qu'elle  a  d'vn 
coste  et  lo  bois  de  I'autre.  (jui  n'est  distant  (pie  d'vn  bien  petit  quart 
de  lieiie,  et  le  champ  entre  le  fort  et  le  bois,  et  un  costau  fort  jilai- 
sant  to'it  couuert  d'herbes  fort  grandes  et  espesses.  et  n'y  a  cheniin 
au  bois,  siiKin  (jue  la  largeur  d'vn  pas  d'homme  que  noz  gens  auoyet 
fait  pour  aller  ii  la  fontaine  dans  le  bois. 

Quand  done  nous  fusmes  arriuez  pros  d'ieelle  place,  nostre  lieu- 
tenant fist  descharger  et  porter  les  viures  au  fort,  et  autres  munitions 
pour  reereer  la  |)lace,  ot  commanda  que  nous  artisans,  femnies  et 
petits  enfans,  y  allissions,  et  nous  y  fait  conduire  par  le  sieur  d'Vlly. 
de  Beaucliaire  et  autres,  ausquels  aussi  il  laissa  la  garde  de  son  plus 
precieux  baggage.  Ceux  (jui  nous  attendoyet  au  fort  furent  gran- 
demet  rcsiouys  de  nostre  venue,  car  ils  estoyent  angoissez  et  trou- 


DKUNIER    VOYAC.K    AUX    INDKS,  OL'    NoITIM.l.K    rUANCK.      207 

blez  <reHtro  si  long  temps  sans  rioii  oiur  do  l;i  France  :  ot  qui  plus 
aiigniontoit  lour  duuleur.  ils  e-stoycnt  sans  viurcs.  sinon  iju'ils  sc 
vousissont  rengcr  a  la  f.icon  do  viuro  dos  jiai.-^ans  sauuagos.  dis(|Uols 
cnonr  ne  ])()uunycnt-ils  rion  auoir.  si  nitii  par  covrsos.  auoo  fr.icc!  et 
viol(!PO  coninio  plus  aniploinet  nous  dirons  on  son  lieu.  Or  (luaiid 
nous  fusnios  do  soiour.  io  considoray  la  foriiio  dos  liabitans  do  la  torro, 
<|ui  nio  sonibla  bonno  et  assoz  liuiiiaine,  oar  los  homos  sont  droits  ct 
ijuarroz.  ot  d'vn  taint  tirant  au  rouge  I'ay  ontondu  dire  qu'ils  ont 
rois  en  cliasi(uc  village,  ot  pmir  ornenieiit  ils  ont  le  cuir  mar(iiii't6 
d'vne  estrange  facon  :  ils  n'ont  auoun  aecoustremont.  non  jjIus  los 
honnnes  que  los  fonimes  ;  niais  la  fomme  oeint  vn  petit  vnilo  do  pol- 
lisse  do  oiof  ou  d'autro  animal,  le  ncoud  bati'vt  le  costo  gauolio  sur  la 
cuis?e,  pour  couurir  la  partic  do  sa  nature  la  plus  hontcuso  ;  ils  Tie 
sont  ne  canius  ne  lipjius.  ains  ont  le  visage  rond  et  plain.  losyo\i.\  as- 
prcs  et  vigoureux ;  ils  nourrissent  lours  elieueux  fort  longs,  et  los 
trons.soiit  iiroproment  a  I'entour  do  lours  testes,  ot  eeste  trousse  de 
clioueux  leur  sort,  commode  oan[uois.  a  porter  lours  floohcs  quaiid  ils 
sont  en  guerre  ;  c'est  mcrveilles  (juo  soudainemont  ils  los  ont  on  main 
pour  en  tirer  loin  et  droit  au  possible.  Quat  aux  nuours.  ils  sont 
dissolus.  ils  n'enseignent  point  lours  enfansot  no  los  corrigcnt  aucu- 
ncmoiit ;  ils  prcnnont  sans  coscience  et  s'attribuont  tout  oo  (ju'ils 
peuuent  secretenient  em  porter.  Cliacun  a  sa  fonime  jiropre,  et  gar- 
dent  le  mariage,  voire  avoc  touto  riguour.  lis  sont  on  guorro  contro 
les  pais  frotiers,  (jui  sont  de  diuors  languages.  Los  arnios  los  plus 
insignes  sont  arcs  et  floclies :  louros  domouros  sont  do  iiguro  rondo 
et  quasi  a  la  fa(;on  dos  ooloinbiors  de  C(!  ])ais.  fondoos  et  ostablios  de 
gros  abres,  couuertes  au  dessus  do  fouilles  de  palmiors.  ot  no  oraignet 
point  los  vents  et  tompostos:  ils  sont  souuont  f.isolioz  de*  potitos 
niousches.  lesquellos  ils  appoUont  en  lour  language  //K/rliigo/is.uti'iXui 
qu'cir  dinairemet  aux  maisons  ils  facet  fou.  ot  oxj)rosHomot  sous  lours 
lits,  afin  d'ostre  doliuroz  do  costo  vormino:  ils  disont  ([u'ollos  piquet 
fort  aspreniet,  ot  la  parti»>  de  la  cliair  toucli(''o  do  lour  nmrsure  douiet 
come  colle  d'vn  ladre.  lis  n'ostimont  rion  plus  riolio  ou  plus  beau 
que  plumes  d'oisoaux  do  diiu'rsos  coulours  :  ils  out  on  grand  prix, 
potis  calcules  qu'ils  font  d'os  de  poissons.  et  autros  piovros  vordos  ct 
rouges  ;  lours  viurcs  sont  racines,  fruits,  liorbos  ot  poissons  de  diuer- 
SOS  sortos,  ot  lo  poissou  lour  est  fort  gras  qu'ils  sorissont.  ot  I'appol- 
lent  on  lour  langue  boiiqutoic ;  ils  on  tiront  la  graisse  et  s'eii  soruont 
au  lion  do  bourro  ou  d'autre  sausse  :  ils  n'ont  pas  do  bio.  mais  ils  ont 
le  mil  en  abondance,  et  croist  a  la  liautour  de  sept  piods  :  il  a  son 
tuyau  gros  come  celuy  d'vne  canne,  et  son  grain  est  gros  comit  vn 
pois,  I'ospy  long  come  d'vn  pied  ;  sa  coulour  est  ainsi  (|Uo  colle  de  la 


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lllriTitKICAI,    C()I,I,i;CT10N.S    Ol'    l,OUI:>IANA, 


cire  rccoutc;  lo  nioyeii  d'ou  vsur  est  preiuierciiiont  de  Ic  froisser  cl 
rcsoudro  tii  tariuc;  puis  apres  lo  duftont  par  niosliiigc,  et  en  font  Icur 
migaii,  (jiii  rcssiMiiblo  lo  ris  (jue  Ton  sort  en  ce  pays  ;  ille  faut  niager 
aussitust  (ju'il  est  fait,  pourco  (ju'il  se  change  iiieuiitiiient,  et  n'est 
point  de  garde ;  ils  ont  furt-u  vigiies  bastardes,  ranipates  i\  Tentour 
des  arbres,  ainsi  i[uo  nous  voyoiis  en  (juelipies  contrees  de  ce  roy- 
autne;  niais  ils  n'ont  point  I'vsage  d'en  tirer  levin;  leur  boisson, 
(ju'il  sappellet  cassuinrf,  so  fait  d'lierbes  eouiposees,  et  ni'asenible  de 
telle  couleur  nue  la  eoruoysc  de  ce  pays;  i'en  ay  gouste  et  no  I'ay 
point  trouue  fort  estrange.  (Jvfit  au  pays  il  nie  senible  niontueux,  et 
y  a  beaueoup  de  forests,  ipii  pent  bien  cstre  cause  do  tant  de  bostes 
sauuages,  lesipiolles  iisdisont  porter  grando  nuisance  u  ccux  (pii  nese 
dcMinent  garde.  le  laisseray  Ti  dire  beaueoup  de  clioses  des  aniniaux 
estranges,  desquels  sculeniet  i'ai  ouy  parler  ;  ee  m'est  assez  de  racon- 
ter  ici  ce  nuc  i"ay  veu  et  (pii  nie  sonible  digne  de  menioire,  pour  la 
posterite  ;  et  singulierenient  des  eroeodilles  ([ue  I'on  voit  assez  sou 
uet  sortir  du  sable  pour  aller  ii  leur  proye.  Nous  en  auons  veu  plu- 
sieurs,  niesnies  vn  niort,  et  auons  njange  de  sa  eliair,  (|ui  nous  seinbla 
tendre  et  blfulie  connnc  cello  d'vn  veau,  ei  (juasi  de  mesnic  goust ;  il 
auoit  este  tue  d'vn  coup  de  lianiuebuuzade.  porteentre  deux  escailles  ; 
que  s'il  n'eust  este  la  frappe,  ses  escailles  autroniont  sont  assez  fortes 
pour  lo  garentir  de  tous  coups  ;  il  auoit  la  guouUo  fort  grande,  et  les 
maschoiieres  renuersees  d'vne  horrible  fac^on,  desijuelles  les  dents 
s'entretenoyet  ainsi  (ju'vn  peigne,  et  pouuoit  ouurir  la  guculle  assez 
grande  pour  deuorer  vne  genissc  ;  il  estoit  long  do  corps  de  douze  a 
treze  pieds ;  il  auoit  les  iabos  fort  courtos  a  la  proportion  du  corps  ; 
SOS  ongles  estragos  et  crucls,  sa  (pieuo  forte  et  longue,  on  quoy  gist 
et  cosistc  sa  vie  et  sa  principale  defense.  Aussi  ie  n'ay  veu  en  sa 
gueuUo  aucune  apparecc  de  langue,  si  elle  n'estoit  cachee  en  son  pa- 
lais,  car  il  auoit  (coninie  i'ay  dit)  la  niaschoiiero  do  des.sous  dossus, 
chose  nion.strueuse,  et  qui  seulonient  a  rogarder  pouuoit  donner  fray- 
eur  aux  homes  ;  i'ay  veu  aussi  vu  serpent  niort,  assez  pros  du  bois, 
qui  auoit  este  tue  par  Ivn  de  noz  gens,  duquel  los  sauuages  vindrent 
couppor  la  teste,  et  I'eporteret  auec  vn  grand  soin  et  diligece  ;  io  n'ay 
sou  savoir  la  raison  pouri^uoy  il  auoit  ailos  par  losipioUes  il  pouuoit 
aucuneiiict  voltigor  sur  la  terrc.  Aucuns  des  nostres  estiinoyont  quo 
les  sauuages  faisoyet  cela  par  quelque  superstition,  et  a  ce  que  i'on 
ay  veu,  ils  no  sont  pas  sans  opinion  de  divinite,  niosmes  aussi  ay  ie 
prins  coniecture  de  quolques  circostances  que  faeilement  on  les  pour- 
roit  dresser,  non  seulonient  a  ciuilite  et  honnestete,  niais  aussi  a 
saiiictote  ot  religion,  si  lo  decret  du  Seigneur  le  parniettoit ;  car  aus- 
sitost  (|ue  la  cloche  du  fort  auoit  soune  pour  faire  los  prieres,  ils  se 


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DEKMKIl    VOYAGK    .\V\    INDKrf,  OU    .\()I  I  CI.LK    FUAXCK.      209 

tournoyciit  en  la  plaoo,  ct  ITi  coino  nous  dros.soyent  les  niaiiLs  au  eiel, 
voire  aiioo  reuerenco  ct  attention.  Oe  temps,  apres  nostro  coronal, 
estoit  apres  pour  .s'acipiittcr  fidclement  de  su  charge,  etdonoit  ordro 
que  la  place  fust  tcllement  reniparee  ct  niunic.  nu'elle  scrvist  apres 
de  sauuegarde,  si  d'auenture  les  sauuages  nous  eussent  voulu  oourir 
sus,  lorstjue  le  lundi,  troisieme  de  septembre.  arriucret.  pres  de  nostre 
Cfjuippage.  cinq  nauires  espaguols.  L'adiniral  se  nionstrant  a  la 
grandeur  de  (juatre  cens  tonneaux.  la  banpie  de  cent  cin(juante,  suiuis 
de  trois  patenas  qui  vindret  niouiller  I'ancre  a  I'enfonseure  de  nos 
quatre  nauires,  environ  les  neuf  lieures  du  soir.  La  nuict  ils  parle- 
nienterent  ensemble,  et  sur  ce  (jue  les  nostresdeniandcront  pounpioy 
et  a  (juelle  fin  ils  les  ccrchoyent.  respondircnt  (ju'ils  estoyent  enne- 
mis  et  que  la  guerre  estoit  suffisammcnt  declaree.  Lors  les  nostres 
regardant  fi  la  force  des  Espaguols.  a  leur  enuie  et  mauuais  vouloir, 
deshabillerent  et  niircntles  voiles  liaut,  ct  les  Espaguols  firet  cliasse 
apres  eux  ,  niais  ils  ne  les  peurent  auoir  a  la  voile.  Par  quoy  ils  se 
retireret  en  la  riuiere  des  Daupbins  :  car  la  ils  auoyet  delibere  de  faire 
descete,  apres  avoir  comunique  de  nostre  mine  auec  les  sauuages.  com- 
nie  Tissue  deleur  entreprise  Ta  fait  finalement  cognoistre  ;  et  de  ceste 
riuiere  enuoyereut  de  leursliomes  parenibuscades,  autant  que  ilspen- 
serent  cstre  de  necessite  pour  executer  leur  entreprise.  Et  auoiis  de- 
puis  entendu  des  sauuages,  ([u'ils  estoyent  en  arnies  enuiron  six  cens 
honitiics  ;  tost  apres  trois  de  noz  nauires  reuenus  a  la  railc.  car  la 
lYiiiife,  nostre  admiralle,  auoit  este  eniportee  versTeau  ;  le  capitaine 
lean  llibaut  se  delibera  auce  ces  trois  d'aller  trouuer  les  Espaguols. 
Apres  auoir  resolu  en  son  conseil  (pi'il  estoit  neeessaire  de  so  nios- 
trer  contrc  eux  sur  les  eaux,  sinon  (jue  nous  vousissions  encourir  la 
perte  de  noz  vaisseaux.  Car  noz  homes  estans  a  terre.  rie  ne  les 
eust  enqjcsche  d'aborder  noz  nauires.  de  les  crociier.  (jui  nous  sem- 
bloit  vne  perte  intolerable,  pour  ce  regard  jirincipalement ;  c'est  a 
sauoir  (jue  u'aurios  pour  I'auenir  comodite  d'enuoyer  en  France,  pour 
faire  entendre  a  la  maieste  du  roy,  de  I'estat  de  nostre  entreprise. 
Parijuoy  le  lundi.  dixieme  iour  de  septembre  (130.')),  trois  heurc3 
apres  midi,  le  capitaine  et  lieutenant  de  roy  voulut  receuoir  ses 
homes,  et  apres  les  auoir  cxiiortez  de  bien  faire  pour  le  seruice  du 
roy.  s'embaniua  ensemble  auec  eux  ;  prenant  pour  sa  defense,  non 
sculeinent  les  soldats  (ju'ils  auoyent  nouuellement  amenez.  mais 
aussi  les  plus  sigiuilez  de  ceux  ([ui  tenoyent  la  place  auparauant, 
uomenient  I'enseigne,  caporal  et  sergent  du  capitaine  Ijauduniere. 
Ce  capitaine,  ennuye  de  n"avoir  entendu  nouuelles  de  France,  et 
fasche  d'estre  prive  de  viures,  vn  pcu  auparavat  que  nous  fussions  la 
arrivez,  pensoit  a  retourner,  ct  cependant  ne  se  soucioit  ijcaueop  si 


"i'if 


ifi 


ilJK 


•iiH!; 


210 


HISTOItir.M,    COM.ECTIONS    OF    T,OI'I?»IA\'A. 


rl 


ceux  do  sa  cnni])n«riiio  fiiisovi'^t  rlio.«o.s  aux  saunages  ;  de  •juoy  l(>iir 
h6iio  aH'rctioii  .so  dostouriiiist  dos  Fraiu^ois  :  aiiis  il  los  poriiiettoit 
forcer  et  iiiiioiior  pri.somiicrs  dans  le  fort,  proiidri;  ct  rauir  lour  mil 
ot  autros  oliosos  (jiio  la  ii('0(>ssito.  LkjuoHo  no  |'Out  ostro  so'aiu'iino  loy, 
lour  coniniaiidoit.  Et  d'autant  (pio  lo  dosir  do  so  voiigor  est  iiaturello- 
niont  ]ilai)fe  an  oieur  do  riioninic,  mosmos  aussi  l'a|)])otit  coniniuii  a 
tous  aiiinianx  do  so  defotidro,  son  corps  et  sa  vie,  ct  do  dostoiirnor  los 
Glioses  ipii  soniblent  apportcM'  (HU'l(ine  nnisaneo;  il  no  fant  doutor  (juc 
ce  sauiuifxes  no  coplota  et  prattiipia  aueo  rKspagnol,  eoinine  il  sc 
pourroit  dcliiirer  do  ceste  gent,  de  laijncUc  il  estoit  ct  cii  son  corps  et 
en  SOS  biens  trauaillo.  JiO  mardy,  onzienie  de  soptonibre,  a  liuict 
liciiros  dii  matin  on  enuiron.  lorsipio  noz  gi'ns  estoyOt  assez  pros  dos 
Espagnols.  so  leua  un  tourbillo  do  vent  ijni  contiiiua  long  tenips.  auoc 
de  grosses  jd-iiyes,  esclairs  et  tonnerros  :  de  sorte  i[u'i\  la  fois  I'air  es- 
toit eonimo  en  feu.  et  los  parties  etlVayocs  dos  menaces  du  eiel  s'es- 
earteront :  los  no«itr(>s  trois  nauires  furent  constraints  de  ponger  ;  ct 
los  autros.  admiral  ot  har(|uo  espignolo.  de  fairo  le  vet  bon  :  et  dura 
la  nialico  do  eo  temps  iusipies  an  vingt  troisiemo  iour  de  soptonibre. 
Or  los  Espagnols  deseedus  ;\  terro  curcnt  assez  de  loisir  do  nous 
espionr.er  et  mosmos  de  s'infornier  dos  moyes  i.ju'iis  tiondroyet  pour 
nous  surpreiidre,  estans  l)ion  aduertis(pie  noz  forces  estoyent  sur  les 
eaux.  ot  (jiio  lo  resto  qui  ostoit  deinoure  au  fort,  ostoit  compose  partie 
do  ni;ilades  eiioor  alterez  do  Fair  do  la  mcr :  partie  aussi  d'artisans, 
dc  feniiiies  et  petits  enfans.  le  tout  niontant  au  nombro  de  deux  cens 
(juarato  aiiios.  roconiandoes  a  la  garde  ct  diligence  du  capitaino  Lau- 
dunioro  ipii  no  so  doutoit  uucuncmet  (ju'auouiie  force  peustvonir  ])ar 
terro  pour  le.s  cndonimagor,  Panjuoy  la  garde  leua  pour  s'on  allor 
rafraisoliir.  a  cause  dos  mauvais  tomjis  qui  auoient  cotinue  toute  la  nuiot 
vn  pou  doiiat  soloil  levant,  la  pluspart  dos  nostres  au  fort  dormans 
et  ou  lours  licts:  lo  guioliot  ouuort.  rEsptignol  ayant  tracasse  bois, 
cstags  et  riuioros.  coduit  par  le  suuungo.  et  arrive  le  ieudy  viiigtieme 
iour  de  soptemliro  au  iiiiitin.  tonqis  fort  pliuiioux,  ct  entront  sans 
nulle  rosistonco  dans  le  fort,  ot  foTit  vno  linrriblo  execution  do  la  rage 
et  furie  ([ii'ils  auoyet  conooue  cotrc  nostre  nation  ;  c'estoit  lors  a 
qui  mioux  osgorgortiit  liomes.  sains  et  nialados,  feninies  et  jiotits 
enfans.  de  sort  (pi'il  n'est  possible  do  soger  vu  massacre  qui  puisse 
estro  esgalo  a  ooslui  ci.  on  cruauto  et  barbaric.  Aucuns  des  nostres 
les  plus  liabiles  sortaiis  do  Hours  licts  s'oscoulerct.  et  se  sauuerent 
de  vistosso  dans  los  n.iuiros  qui  estoyent  on  la  riuierc.  laissoz  du  co- 
ronal a  la  garde  do  Taquos  Kibaut.  capitaino  d'vn  navire  nomine  la 
Pr/'/f.  et  do  Loys  Hallard.  son  liontenant;  les  autros  surpris  sauto- 
reut  pardessus  la  pallisado.  singulieroment  le  capitaiue  Lauduuiere 


i< 


|: 


?!'  ■ 


\  ' 


ii 


If 


Ijkrmku  vovakk   ai'x  in'df.s,  ()i;   N(iri,'Ki.i,K   FU.wn; 


211 


it  lors  a 


se  sauna  jiar  la.  auoo  c.vWo.  iiiii  Ic  seruoit  a  la  (.'lianiljre.  Ic  fiis  anssi 
surprins  allaiit  a  nia  Ix'soii^'iie,  lo  fonrioir  a  la  main  :  car  surtant  do 
la  caliano.  jo  rcncontray  Ics  (Mincinis,  I't  no  trounay  antri'  nioyoii  tlos- 
clia|i])or.  sinon  tiuiriicr  lo  dos.  ot  nic  liastcr  a>i  pnssiMo  do  santor 
aussi  jiardossus  la  jiallissado;  car  i'ostoyo  anssi  ]io\irsnivi  do  jtas  a 
pas  d'vno  ]iieijuo  ot  portizano.  ot  no  say  ooinciit  autroniot,  siiiDU  do  la 
graoo  do  DIou,  nios  forcos  so  roiloublorot.  do  nmy,  dis-ie.  pnnro  viol- 
lard  ([uo  io  suis.  ot  tout  gris  ;  toutes  fois  io  sautay  Ic  rajiart.  a)  ija'a 
loisir  io  n'ousso  pou  fairo  en  rampant,  car  il  ostoit  eslovo  do  liuict  a 
neuf  ,)iods.  ot  lors  io  mo  liastay  do  mo  saiiuor  an  bois  :  ot  comnio  i'os- 
toyo assez  pros  do  la  rivo  dn  bois.  a  la  distance  d'vu  bon  trait  d'arc, 
ie  n)0  rotournay  vor.s  lo  f  irt  ot  m'arrcstay  vn  jiou  do  tonips  sur  la 
costo.  ot  d'autant  pb.is  liardimont.  ])arco  ipio  porsonno  no  mo  pour- 
suiuo't.  Et  coinmo  do  cost  ondroit.  tout  lo  fort,  niosmos  la  basse 
court  me  fut  dosconnerte,  aussi  vi-ie  la  vne  horrible  tuorio.  (jui  so 
faisoit  do  uoz  gons.  ot  trois  onsoijriios  do  noz  adiiorsairos  ]>latoos  sur 
les  rampars.  Ayant  don((nos  perdu  tout  osporance  do  vnir  nuz  isvus 
rallioz.  io  rosiiinav  tons  mos  sons  an  Soiirnour.  ot  nic  rocomniandat  a 
i,a  misorieordo.  grace  ot  f'aueur.  io  mo  lan(;ay  das  le  bois.  car  il  me 
soniblait  ijuo  ie  no  pourroyo  trouuor  cruaute  jdus  grade  outre  les 
bcstos  sauuagos,  (]ue  cello  dos  ennemis  ;  laijuollo  i'anoye  von  so  dos- 
bordor  sur  los  nostros.  Or  la  inisore  ot  angoisso  on  lai|Uollo  ic  me 
trouuay  lors  presso  ot  ensorro,  no  voyant  plus  en  torre  moyon  de 
salut.  sino  i[uo  lo  Seigneur  do  grace  spociale  ct  pardossus  touto  opi- 
nion d'liomme  me  doliurast :  me  faisoit  iottor  souspirs  on  saiiglnts.  et 
d'vne  parole  rompue  do  dostrosse.  crior  ainsi  an  Seigneur  O  Dieu 
do  noz  pores,  ct  seigneur  do  misorieordo.  i|ui  nous  as  coujmande  de 
t'inuoiiuor,  niosnus  dn  i)rofund  dos  onfors  ot  dos  abysmos  do  mort, 
promettant  incotinont  ton  aide  ot  ton  eocours.  monstre  moy  pour 
I'esporance  quo  i'ay  on  toy.  (piol  elicmin  ie  doy  tonir,  pour  vonir  a  fin 
de  ccsto  miserable  vieillosse.  plongo(!  an  gonffre  de  douleur  ot  d'anier- 
tunie ;  au  nmins  fay  q\ie  sontant  I'offoct  de  ta  mercy,  I'assouraco  (jue 
i'ay  do  tos  promossos  concoui'  on  mon  ca'ur.  no  me  soit  arraclioo.  pour 
I'approiionsion  do  la  cruaute  de  cos  bestos  sauuagos  et  furiousos  d'vn 
costo.  ot  do  tos  cnncniis  ot  los  nostros  d'autro:  cpii  nous  on  voulont 
pins,  pour  la  momoiro  do  ton  noui  qui  est  inuoipie  sur  muis  q'  jiour 
autre  chose:  Aido-nioy.  mo  Dion,  assiste-nmy.  car  ic  suis  tant  atHigo 
quo  plus  n'en  puis.  Et  coj)endant  (jue  ie  faisois  co  discours.  trauer- 
sant  le  bois  fort  cspos  et  commo  tissu  de  ronces  et  cspinos,  au  dossous 
des  hauts  arbres.  ou  il  n'y  anoit  chomin  no  scntier  aucun.  a  peine 
auoy-ie  tracasse  le  cheniin  do  demic  licure.  (piaiid  ie  vins  a  entendre 
vu  bruit,  come  do  pleurs  et  gemissemens  d'hommes  qui  cstoyont  a 


h 


i 


i\ 


212 


IIISTOUICAI,    Cor<LECT10NS    OP    I,OUIHI.\NA. 


I'cTitoiir  lie   iiioy,     Et  ni'iiuan(;rit  an  noin  do  D'cu  ot  en  la  coiifiuiicc 


de  son  scf'oiirs,  10  ucscouuri  1  vn  uca  oostrcs,  noiiinio  lo  sioiir  ilo  la 
IJIoiulcrio.  ot  nil  jiou  arrioro  do  liiy.  un  autre,  nomnio  niaistro  Unbort, 
assoz  oogim  do  no'  tons,  d'auti'it  (jii'il  anoit  charge  do  fairo  los  prioros 
en  Host  re  fort.  Tost  apro.s  au.ssi  nou.s  troiuiasnio.s  le  laijuais  dii  ."iour 
d'VlIy.  lo  nouou  de  M.  Loboau.  niaistro  [a([ucs  Touse,  ct  plusiours 
autros:  ot  nous  asseinbloz  oonforions  de  nos  niisoros,  en  c6niun,  ct 
doliborios  do  cc  (jue  nous  aurios  A  fairo  pour  sauuor  iioz  vies:  I'vn 
dos  nostros.  assez  estiino  d'ostre  fort  o.vcrco  on  la  lo(;on  do.s  Kscri- 
turos  saincto.s.  proposa  (jUiisi  en  coste  nianiere:  Froro.s,  iiou.s  voyons 
en  (luello  extrcinite  nous  souios,  quolipu!  part  (juo  nous  tourni6.s  los 
ycu.x.  nous  no  voyons  <|Uo  barbaric  iiO  eiel,  la  torre,  la  nier,  lo  bois, 
los  homines:  brof.  ricn  no  no'  fauurise  :  ijue  savons-nous  si  nous  ron- 
dfis  Ti  la  niisoricorde  do  I'Espairnol.  il  nous  fora  grace?  Bien  encor 
qu'il  nous  tue,  co  sera  pour  souffrir  vn  pen  do  temps  :  ils  sont  homes, 
et  CO  jieut  fairo  ])Uo  lour  furour  appaiseo,  lis  nous  roccuront  ru|uol(]ue 
composition;  autroment  (jue  pourrions-nous  fairc?  Nc  vaut-il  pas 
miou.x  tomber  en  la  main  dos  Iiommos.  (pi'en  la  gueuUc  dos  bestos 
sauuages,  ou  bien  so  laissor  mourir  do  faim  on  coste  torre  estrange? 
Apros  (pi'il  out  ainsi  parlo,  la  plus  part  do  notre  compagnio  fut  de 
son  aduis.  ct  loua  son  cdsoil.  Noobstant  (juo  io  romostrasso  la  cru- 
auto  oncor  touto  .sanglate  dos  aduor.sairos,  ct  ijue  ce  n'cstoit  point 
souloniont  pour  vno  cau.so  ou  dobat  huniain  iju'il.s  auoyont  execute 
d'viie  telle  fureur  leur  ontroprise,  niais  principalenient  pour  I'aducr- 
tissemcnt  (ju'on  leur  auroit  donne,  (jue  nous  series  do  ceux  qui  so  se- 
royent  roformoz  a  la  predication  de  I'Kurigilc ;  (|no  nous  serious 
lasclios  do  regarder  plustost  aux  homines  ipru  Dieu  (jui  fait  viuro  los 
siens  au  milieu  do  la  niort.  ot  d(mno  ordinaireniont  son  assistance, 
lorsquo  I'esporance  dos  liommos  est  on  dofaut.  Aussi  a!loguoy-ie 
quohiues  oxomples  de  rEscrituro  a  propos  de  losepli,  de  Daniel, 
d'Elie  ot  dos  autrcs  prophetos,  niesmcs  dos  apostres,  come  do  S. 
Pierre  ot  do  S.  Paul,  (jui  tous  out  este  tiroz  hors  d'affliction,  voior  par 
moyes  extraordinaircs  et  estragcs  au  sens  ot  a  la  raison  de  Thome: 
son  bras,  disoy-ie,  n'est  anioindri  nc  aftoibli  aucunomet,  sc  main  est 
touiours  vno.  No  uous  souuiet-il  poit,  disoy-jo,  de  la  fuitc  dos  Isra- 
elites deuant  Pharao  ?  Quelle  osporace  auoit  lo  pcuplo  d'eschappor 
des  niais  do  cc  tyran  puissant  et  cruel?  il  leur  niarchoit  quasi  sur  Ics 
talons.  Deuant  eux  ils  auoyot  la  mer,  aux  deux  eostez  Ics  r'  r^Mgues 
inaccessiblos. 

Quoy  done  ?  eoluy  (jui  a  ouuert  la  nior  pour  fairo  la  voye  a  son 
peujile,  ot  pour  puis  apros  ongloutir  ses  ennemis,  nc  pourroit-il  nous 
couduire  par  los  lioux  champcstres  de  ce  pays  estrage  ?     Quoy  que 


llf' 


.1  coiifuiiico 
siuiir  ilo  la 
tro  Ui)ljurt, 
les  prieres 
lis  till  sicur 
t  pliisiours 
comiin.  et 
;  vies:  I'vu 
des  K.scri- 
ouH  voyons 
ourni6.s  Ics 
iier,  lo  hois, 
ii  nous  ron- 
Bien  oncur 
iont  lioiiics, 
t  acjiu'lciue 
vaut-il  pas 
dcs  bcstes 
!  estrange? 
511  io  flit  de 
iissc  la  cru- 
stoit  point 
nt  cxoeiite 
ur  I'aducr- 
c  (|iii  Hc  se- 
ns scrions 
t  vinrc  les 
assistance, 
a!logu()j-ie 
dc  Daniel, 
omc  dc  S. 
,  voicr  par 
e  riiome: 
2  main  est 
dcs  Isra- 
'escliapper 
lasi  sur  les 
■i-*-ignes 

oye  i\  son 
oit-il  nous 
Quoy  que 


DiMtMi'.u  vovAfw:  Ai'V   iMtKs,  oi    Not  i" i:i,i.r;   ri;.\Mr,.    213 

ie  tiiiso  ti'ls  propoa.  six  de  la  coinpagnie  siiiuirfiit  la  prcinicro  pro- 
position ;  et  nous  alifidonnerent  jioiir  se  retircr  ;"i  la  jiart  di;  nuz  cn- 
ncniis.  osperant  trduui'r  giAcf  diMiant  eiix  ;  inais  ils  cognt'iirciit  in- 
continent, et  par   expei  ieiice.   (niclle   t'olie  e'est   de  so  tirr  pliix  aux 
homines  iju'aux  promesses  de   Seigneur.     Car  estaiis  surtis  liors  le 
bois,  eomc  ils  descendoycnt  an  fnrt.  ils  t'lircnt  incuntiiient  saisis  dcs 
Espagnols,  et  traittez  a  la  fa(;i>ii  des  aiitres.     lis  t'urent  done  esgor- 
gez  et  massacrez,  et  puis  trainez  au  liord  de  la  riiiiere,  ou  les  autres 
tuez  au  fort  estoyent  par  moneeaiix.     li;  ne  veiix  pas  iei  me  taire  d'vn 
cxemple  d'extreme  cruautu.     laijues  Kibaiit,  capitaine  de  hi  Pcilr. 
tenoit  les  nauires  Ti  raiierc.  ;\  cent  jias  pros  de  ccste  bouelierie.  ofi  il 
recent  beaneoup  dc  ceiix  (pii  escliapperet  de  cestc  tuerie.      Or  les 
Espagnols  ayant  le  eieiir  gros  [i  cause  de  leiir  victoire,  et  acharnez  a 
pactuer  le  rcste  des  Frain-ois.  braipiercnt  les  canons  du  fort  contre 
les  nauires  et  batteaiix ;  mais  a  cause  du  temjjs  pluuieux.  et  ipic  les 
caiiDiia  aussi  estoyent  mal  :i])prestez.  ils  ne  feirent  aucun   dommage 
ii  iioz  gens ;  mais   ils    lireiit    niarclicr  vne    trompctte  jusipra   eux 
pour   les    snmmer  de   se   reiidre.       Et    (jiiful   ils    veirent    (|iie    ccla 
liC  les   iiitiinidi)it  aucuneiiieiit.   ils  ciuioycrct   nn   de   leurs   lionimes 
iusijiies  aux  nauires.  iiiettaiit  en  auant  Tautliorite  dc  J)on    Pedro 
de    Malendez.    coronal    de    lenr    compagnie.    pour    comjioser    auec 
noz  giMis.  ;\  telle  cundition   (ju'ils  (|uittassent  les   nauires  et  ([u'ils  se 
retirassent  auec  les  batteaiix.  lenrs  bagiies  sauues.  aux  autres  nauires 
qui  estoyent  bas  a  reiiili(iueliure  de  la  riiiiere.  distant  du  fort  enuiron 
deux   lieucs ;    a  qiioy   noz   gens    respnndirent  (|u'il  y  eust  aucune 
guerre  entre  eux.  (|ue  depiiis  six  niois  ils  anoyent  reeeus  c(uninande- 
nieiit  du  roi  ])our  faire  ce  voyaje,  que  tant  s'en  faut  (pi'il  fust  entre- 
pris  pour  faire  tort  ou  exaction  a  aucun.  (juand  il  leur  cstoit  expres- 
seniet  defemlu  de  sa  maieste.  et  niesmes  de  son  admiral,  de  ne  faire 
desccnte  en  aucune  terre  d'Espagnc.  ni  mesmes  en  approclier  dc  peur 
de  les  offenser.     Nous  auos  garde  et  obserue  inuiolableitH't  lo  coiu- 
niandemcnt  du  roy.  et  ne  pouiiez   dire  contre  nous  (pie   nous  ayons 
cste  cause  du  massacre  que  vous  auez  fait  de  noz  lionimes  cotrc  tout 
vsage  dc  guerre,  ce  qui  nous  fait  seigner  le  co-ur  et  de  ijuoy  pourrez 
bien  vous  resscntir  en  tops  ct  lieu,     (^hriiit  au  nauire  tjue  vous  dc- 
mandez.  vous  auriez  plustost  noz  vies  :  et  ois  vous  n'voudrez  parfor- 
cer.  nous  employerons  le  nioyen  que  Dieu  et  nature  nous  a  donne 
pour  nous  dcfendre.     L'Espagnol  retourne  rapporta  (jue  noz  gens  no 
se  mouuoyent  pour  rien.  ains  qu'ils  cstoyet  deliberoz  de  so  bien  de 
fendrc.     Lors  cesto  furieuse  troupe  reictta  sa  colcre  et  .«anglant  des- 
pit  sur  les  inorts,   et  les  cxposerent  en  nionstre  aux  Fran(;ois  (jui 
restoyent  sur  les  caux,  et  taschoyout  a  nauror  le  Ctt'ur  de  ccux  dcs- 


u 


ill'- 


.i. 


!    i> 


i'iii 


214 


III.STOUKJAI,    (.01. MICTIONS    OT    LOUISIANA. 


quels  lis  no  iMHiuoycnt,  foiiinio  ils  ousseiit  bion  voiilu,  dcsnicrnbrcr  Ics 
corps  ;  car,  arracliaiit  Ics  yoiix  ib'S  iiiorts,  los  ficlmycmt  au  liout  ilos 
dagut's,  et  puis  aucc  eris,  liourloiiieiis  ot  tduto  gaudissurio,  les  iottoy- 
cnt  contro  noz  Fraurois  vers  I'eau.  (^iiaiit  a  nous  ijui  doiiicurasnics 
au  bois,  nous  coiitinuasuios  u  trauersor.  tiraus  a  nostrc  iujreiuont  au 
plus  prus  do  111  nior.  Kt  coiunio  il  plcut  ii  Dion  do  conduire  no/,  pas 
ot  drossor  noz  voyos,  jjientost  nous  paruiusnios  a  la  croupi;  d'vno 
montagno,  et  de  l;i  conioucasnios  u  voir  la  mor.  ,Mais  il  y  auoit  on- 
cer graiido  distance;  ot  ipii  pis  estoit.  lo  cliomin  ([uc  nous  auioiis  a 
tonir  so  nionstroit  inoruoillousonieiit  estrange  ot  difficilo ;  proniicre- 
niot.  la  montagno  do  laipioUe  doscedre  il  nous  ostctit  nocossairo,  es- 
toit de  telle  hauteur  et  si  roide  ([u'il  n'ostuit  possible  ii  lioninie,  en 
descendant,  so  tonir  debout,  et  ianuiis  n'eussions  ose  nous  niettre  a 
desoondro  sans  I'osperace  que  nous  anions  de  nous  cdtrotenir  jiar  les 
braclies  dos  buissoiis  (jui  estoyet  tVi'i|uens  sur  le  costau  de  la  nioii- 
tagne,  ot  pour  sauuer  la  vie,  n'ospargnant  point  les  nuiins,  lesiiuollcs 
nous  avions  toutes  gastees  ot  sanglantos,  niosnios  les  iainbes  et  ([uasi 
tout  le  corps  descliiro.  Or,  doscondus  que  nous  fusmes  de  la  nion- 
tagne,  no'  pordisines  la  veue  de  la  nier,  a  cause  d"vn  petit  bois  (jui 
estoit  cotre  nous  planto  sur  vne  petite  ooUino.  ot  pour  allcr  au  bois 
il  nous  falloit  trauersor  vne  grando  j)roe  toute  de  vase  et  do  fVuulri- 
erc,  couuorto  do  roseaux  et  autros  sortos  d'liorbos  fort  estragos;  car 
le  tuyan  estoit  dur  conime  bois,  et  los  fueilles  nous  docoupoycnt 
pieds  et  iainbes  ius(juos  au  sang,  estaus  tousiours  en  I'eau  iusquos  au 
fourc,  et  qui  redoubloit  nostre  niisore  et  calaniite ;  la  pluyo  toniboit 
tellouiet  du  ciol  sur  nous  (jue,  come,  on  vn  deluge,  nous  cstions  tout 
ce  temps-la  entre  deux  oaux ;  et  plus  nous  marcliions  auant,  aussi 
nous  trouuios  I'eau  profonde.  Et  lors,  pensant  bion  ojstro  au  dernier 
periodo  de  nostre  vie.  nous  embrassasmcs  Ivn  I'autre,  et  d'all'oction 
commune  nous  commeneasmes  a  souspirer  et  crior  au  Seigneur,  accu- 
sant noz  peche:.,  et  rocognoissans  sur  nous  la  rigueur  de  ses  iugemons 
Ilelas !  Seigneur,  disiosnous.  quo  sommes-nous  plus  q'  poures  vor- 
niisseaux  de  torre  ?  noz  ames,  toutes  alterecs  de  douleur,  so  rondent 
entre  tes  bras ;  6  Pero  de  misoricorde  ot  Dieu  de  cliarite  !  deliure- 
nous  do  CO  pas  de  la  mort ;  ou  si  tu  voux  (ju'en  cc  desert  nous  tiri- 
ons  le  dernier  soupir  de  la  vie,  assistc-nous  a  00  que  la  mort,  de 
toutes  cboses  la  plus  terrible,  nous  veiumt  saisir,  ne  nous  estonno 
d'auantago,  mais  (jue  nous  demeurious  formes  ot  stables  au  sons  de  ta 
faueur  et  bien  vueillancc  quo  nous  auons  taut  ot  tant  esprouvee  a 
cause  de  ton  Christ,  pour  doner  lieu  a  I'esprit  de  Satan,  esprit  do  de- 
sespoir  et  de  deffianco ;  car,  soit  que  nous  niourions,  nous  protestos 
niaiuteuat  deuaut  ta  maieste,  que  nous  voulous  mourir  a  toy ;  soit 


I         i 


DRKxiKit  vov.\i;i;  Aix   iNKi'.s,  oi"   Ndirni.i.r,   rit.wn;.     215 


ii 


que  Jious  viiiiotis,  co  srra  j^nir  racniittT  tcs  miTia'illcH  an  milieu  do 
rasscmljlco  do  tcs  soruitoiir.s.  Noh  priores  t'uiti's,  nous  inari'liasuK's  i"i 
grand'jiL'ine  droit  au  bois.  t;it  ijuo  nous  arrivasnics  pros  d'viu'  grosse 
riuiore  (('  couroit  au  milit-u  do  eoste  iircc;  Ic  canal  ostoit  assc/  (!S- 
troit,  niais  fort  profond,  ct  I'cau  y  coulloit  dc  grande  vistcssc  d'au- 
tant  ijuo  tout  lo  champ  {londoit  vers  la  nicr.  Co  t'ut  \uv  autro 
aupmontation  de  no/,  an;.'oisses.  car  11  n'y  auuit  liomnu;  d<'s  nostres 


(|ui  osast  ontroprondre  a  passer  la  riuioro  :"i  nago ;  mais  on  coste  co- 
fusii)n  do  noz  ponsoos.  (juiit  fi  troiiuor  moyou  do  passer  outro.  il   me 


souum 


t  du  ) 


101.- 


(pio  nous  auios  laisso  dorriorc^  nous  ;  aprcs  au'iir  ex- 
liorte  nies  frorcs  u  patieco  et  u  cuntinucr  :i  hion  osporor  du  Soignour, 
ie  rotournay  au  bois,  ot  y  coupay  vno  loguo  jiorolio.  auoo  vn  lust  d'vn 


fo 


(1 


ormoir  assoz  L'nul  (lui  mo  domcura  on  mam.  lU 


ri 


loiiro  (pio 


fort 


fut  pris,  ot  rotournay  aux  autres  (jui  m'attondoyont  en  frrudo  por- 
ploxito.  ( )r  (;a,  dis-ie,  freros,  essay 6s  si  J)iou,  par  lo  moyon  de  ce  bas- 
ton,  nous  voudra  donner  iiuolijuc  auantage  a  parfaire  nostro  chomiii. 
Lors  nous  coucliasmcs  la  porelie  dossus  I'oau  ;  I'un  dos  nostros.  ot 
cliacun  a  son  tour,  la  tonat  par  lo  bout  ot  ontrat  en  I'oau.  portoit  la 
porolie  (plant  a  soy  ;  et  au  niiliou  du  canal,  oouio  nous  on  pordions  la 
vouo.  le  poussasmes  do  force  asscz  pres  de  Tautro  riuo.  oil  il  jirint 
terre  a  I'aido  dos  Cannes  ot  autres  herbes  qui  estoyet  do  I'autro  bord  ; 
et,  a  son  oxomplo,  passamos  ainsi  vn  a  la  fois  ;  mais  ce  no  fut  pas 
sans  grad  jioril  ot  sans  boiro  boaucoup  do  coste  oau  saleo.  voire  ot 
toUomont  (jue  nous,  venans  a  I'autro  bord.  nous  anions  lo  ciour  tout 
espoussote,  et  cstions  ainsi  afi'adis  commo  si  nous  oussions  esto  a 
demi  noyes.  Apres  quo  nous  fusmos  rouonus  ot  (pie  nous  cusuies 
repris  courage,  tedans  touiours  a  ce  bois  (juo  nous  anions  romanpie 
proclio  do  la  mor,  le  perclie  mcsme  no'  fut  neeossaire  a  passer  vn 
autro  bras  d'oau,  qui  no  nous  donna  pas  moins  do  fascliorio  (|ue  le 
premier  :  nuiis,  graces  a  Dion,  nous  lo  passa  mos  et  cntramos  lo  soir 
niesme  dedas  le  bois,  oit  donieuramos  la  nuict  en  grando  crainto  et 
tremblomont.  estans  dobout  contre  Icsarbros.  Et  combion  (pie  nous 
fussious  trauailloz  tant  ct  plus,  si  n'avios-nous  pas  volonto  do  dormir. 
Car  quel  pourroit  estre  le  repos  dos  osprits  en  telle  frayeur.  Mos- 
mes  no'  vismes  aussi  enuiron  lo  poinct  du  iour  vne  beste  grande  connne 
vn  ccrf,  a  cinquante  passes  pres  de  nous.  (|ui  auoit  la  teste  fort 
grosso.  los  youx  flamboyans  et  sans  siller,  los  oroilles  pcndantos,  ayant 
los  parties  de  derrierc  eminetos.  Elle  nous  sembla  monstreuouse  a 
cause  do  scs  yeux  fort  estincoUans  ot  graus  a  lueruoillos ;  bKjuelle 
toutes  fois  ne  s'approcha  de  nous  pour  nous  faires  aucune  nuisance. 
Le  iour  vonu  nous  sortismos  du  bois  et  reuisnios  la  mor.  a  bnjucdle 
nous  aspirions  apres  Dieu,  commo  au  seul  moye  de  sauuer  noz  vies  ; 


% 


fr 


I    t 


216 


III.STOlMt'AI,    Cf)l. I, ACTION'S    OK    I,(H!ISIA\A 


innis  nous  t'u.siiic.s  Jo  rcolief  fasclioz  «t  troiihlcz.  car  nous  npperccus- 
mos  VII  piiys  dc  inarcscs  ot  licux  faiiircux.  jiKmii  d'oiui  ct  rnmicrt  de 


roseiuix.  (•oiue  cdui 


uo 


s  iiuioiis  pii.ssu  lo  lour  prcoL'ui't.  iNous 
lunrcliiiiucs  done  nu  tniucrs  do  coste  jireo,  ct  nsscz  pros  do  la  route 
quo  iKMis  aiiio.s  u  fairc.  Nous  upporceusmcs  puriui  los  roscaux  vno 
troupo  do  '^i'A  (|uo  iious  cstiiiiiuus  cwtro  do  prirao  faco  noz  oniioiuis, 
(jui  t'iisM(!iit  lii  vciuiH  jiour  nous  ooupficr  cliciniu  ;  iiuiis  (jui'id  nous 
eusnu'S  vcu  do  pros  ((uo  ils  cstoyont  dcsolcz  ooninio  nous,  nuds  ot 
eft'ravoz.  nous  ontondisnics  inoontinont  (ju'ils  estoyont  do  nos  gtis ; 
iiussi  ostoit-eo  lo  (•a[iifaino  Lauilunioro,  sa  fillo  do  clianilirc.  lacijuoa 
MoriiiU'S  d(!  Dioppo,  I'l'i'icDis  Duval  do  Roiion,  lo  fils  do  la  couronno 
do  for  do  llduon.  \igaiso  do  la  Crotto.  Nioolas  lo  nionuzior.  la  troni- 
pctto  du  siour  do  liaudunioro  ct  nutros,  (pii  tons  cnsonihlo  faisoyot  lo 
nnnibro  do  vinirtsix  lioinuic.s.  Sur  la  doliboration  do  co  ((uo  nous 
auions  Ti  faire,  doux  do  nos  gens  niontoront  au  couppoau  dt  1  vn  doa 
arbros  lo  jilus  Iiaut.  ot  di's  couvriront  I'un  do  noz  potis  nau'ios.  ([iii  cs- 
toit  ciduy  du  oapitaino  Maillard,  aui[Uol  ils  donnoroiit  lo  f;i;;'ial,  pour 
lo{pu'l  il  flit  aduorti  (pio  nous  anions  bohoin  do  son  socoijrs.  Lors 
il  nous  fait  arrivor  sa  petite  banjuo ;  niais  pour  approclier  du  riuago 
il  nous  ostoit  nocossaire  de  trauorsor  dos  roseaux  ot  autros  doux 
riuioros  soniblablcs  ii  colics  rjuo  nous  auions  passoes  lo  iour  precod»3t. 
A  juoi  nous  furot  grandi'niont  vtilos  ot  noccsiairos  la  pcrelie  ([ue 
i'avoyo  ouupitoo  I'autre  niatin,  ctdcux  autrcs  desquclles  ceux  du  siour 
de  Lauduniore  auoyont  fait  prouision,  ct  'i'lsnios  assoz  pros  do  la 
barque,  niais  lo  cn'ur  nous  faillitet  do  faiui  ot  do  travail,  et  fussions 
domoiiroz  la.  tiinoji  quo  los  niatolots  nous  oussont  presto  la  main,  ([ui 
so  nionstrert't  fort  soeourables,  et  nous  portoront  los  vns  apros  Ics 
autros  iusques  dodas  la  barque,  ot  nous  rendiront  tons  au  nauiro  oii 
nous  fu.snios  bien  ct  clieroment  rocous  ;  ils  nous  donnoront  pain  et 
can.  et  apres  avoir  nuiiige  nous  coninienrasnios  petit  a  petit  a  reprc- 
dro  force  et  vigueur  qui  nous  fut  arguuiont  trcs-oortain  do  rocognois- 
tre  lo  salut  du  Seigneur,  loiiucl  nous  auait  sauuez  cotrc  I'cspcrance 
d'vne  infinite  de  dagers  do  niort,  dosijuels  nous  auions  cste  onuiron- 
nez  etassicgez  de  toutes  parts,  pour  luy  en  rcndre  graces  et  louangos 
a  ianinis.  Nous  jtassasines  ainsi  toute  la  nuict,  racontans  les  nier- 
noilU's  du  Seigneur,  ct  nous  consolasnics  les  vns  les  autros  on  la 
souuenanco  do  nostro  salut.  Et  Ic  iour  ostant  vcuu,  laquos  llibaut, 
oapitaino  de  Ic  J'cr/c,  nous  aborda  pour  confcrer  auecquos  nous  do  ce 
que  nous  jiourrios  fairc,  ot  du  nioycn  quo  nous  pourrions  tonir  pour 
sauuor  le  roste  de  noz  homos  et  les  vaissoaux,  Et  alors  il  fut  romos- 
tre  Ic  pcu  dc  viures  que  nous  auions.  noz  forces  ronipues,  noz  muni- 
tions et  apparats  de  defense  saisis,  rincertitudc  de  I'estat  de  nostre 


ii      . 


i 


aiijicrt'ous- 
poiiuort  do 
I't.  Nous 
le  l;i  route 
jscnux  vno 
z  onticinis, 
mad  nous 
IS,  iiuds  et 
!  iios  f^ea ; 

('.     IllCiJUOS 

I  couronuo 

•r.  lii  trom- 

faisiiyi't  lo 

[)  I  [IK!  nous 

I.    1  vn  dc8 

'les.  (jui  ea- 

i;:^M;il.  pour 

urs.     Lors 

•  du  riuage 

itrcs  deux 

r  procedot. 

pcrclie  (|ue 

IX  du  sieur 

pres  do  la 

et  fussiona 

I  main,  ([ui 

s  a pros   les 

nauirc  ou 

nt  pain  et 

it  i\  rcprc- 

recoj.'nois- 

'esperancc 

(';  enuiron- 

t louanges 

IS  k'S  nior- 

tres  en  la 

es  llibaut, 

nous  dc  oe 

tenir  pour 

fut  renios- 

noz  munl- 

dc  nostre 


DKUMi'.K   vov.\<;k   aijx  ini)I:s,  oi'   \(ii  rr.M.p.   kranck.    217 

coriiiial.  Ill'  saclnint  s'il  cstoit  i'ScIioim'  imi  (pirlipu'  cnstt''.  au  l<iiii  arri- 
j're  tlr  niMis.  ciriportt'-  ilf  la  touriiicntc.  Nuns  oonclutMes  dnnc  c|U(' 
nous  nc  piiurridiis  miciix  fairc  (pu'  d'l'ssayer  df  riitmirntT  v\\  l'"race. 
et  fiirciit  d'adiiis  lis  plus  j.'raiis  du  nostra  cojiai.Miic  di:  scparcrcn  deux 
parties  ecux  ipii  I'stoyet  fscliap|io/  de  la  iourni'-c  du  fort,  etipic  Tunc 
dt'ineurast  en  lit  J'rr/r,  vt  I'autre  tm  rt'tirast  sous  la  cliargt;  du  capi- 
taine  MaiUard.  Or  li'  icudi.  vingt-eimpiiciiK!  iour  du  ludi:'  dc  scp- 
tebrc.  imus  partisiurs  dc  ccste  eoste  a  la  taucur  d'vn  gros  vent  du 
nord.  c'^laiis  (iL'lilii'ri'Z  dc  nous  rctirer  en  Kranoc:  et,  di's  Ic  prcniiiT 
iour.  ncz  deux  nauires  out  c.-tc  t(dleuieiit  escartez,  (pie  plus  nc  nuus 
sonmies  ciitrc-trdMUez  sur  Ics  caux. 

Nulls  siiiglasiiK's  ciii(|  ccs  licnes  assez  lieureusement ;  etalors,  un 
matin,  ennirdii  soleil  leuant.  t'lismos  assaillis  d'vn  nauire  espagnol,  le- 
(juel  nous  sdiitinsnics  an  possible,  et  les  caiiunnasincs  d'viu;  telle  sorte 
«pie  nulls  les  rendisnies  sublets  a  nostre  deiiution,  et  les  batisines  tcl- 
lenient  ipi'o  vuyuit  Ic  sang  regorger  par  les  naugeres  ;  nous  les  tenios 
ainsi  euininc  reiidiis  et  dcsceiidiis  tout  lias:  inais  il  n'j  auoit  auoiin 
luoyen  do  les  eranipunncr.  a  cause  du  temps  ipii  estuit  furt  impctu- 
eux  ;  ear  il  y  auoit  danger  cuius  erainponnat's  s'cntrefroisscr,  (jui 
oust  estc  puiir  nous  enf'ondrcr  et  faire  cuulur  bas.  eux  au.ssi  se  eoten- 
tans  dc  ecstc  eliarge  nous  donncri't  conge,  et  les  laissanies  iuycux.  et 
roniereians  Dieu.  dc  ec;  i[u'aufun  de  nous  nu  t'ut  blesse  en  eestci  escar- 
mouclic  nc  tiic,  siiion  nustre  euisinier.  Lu  rcstc  de  nostre  iiauigation 
a  estc  sans  auuunc  reiieuntre  d'unneniis;  niais  nous  auons  estc  furt 
tourmctcz  des  vents,  ipii  nous  out  niaintus  fuis  munassez  dc  nuus  jet- 
ter  a  la  custe  d'Kspagnc.  ipii  cust  estc  le  eomble  de  noz  niallieurs,  et 
la  cliosc  (pie  nous  auiuns  en  plus  grade  leu'rcur.  Nous  auons  aussi 
endure-  sur  les  eaux  bcaucuiip  d'aiitrcs  eliosus.  e(inie  froitut  faini,  car, 
il  faut  bieu  entendre  (pic  nuus  autres  cpii  estions  escliappcz  de  la 
Floridc.  u'auions  jiuiir  tuiit  vcstemeiit  ou  aceoiistrement,  taut  pour  le 
iour  commu  pour  la  nuiot.  furs  que  la  simple  clieniise,  ou  (picbjue 
autre  petit  liaiUun.  (pii  estuit  bien  pen  de  chose  pour  nous  defeiidre  a 
I'cncontrc  de  riniiiru  du  t(.''ps:  et  (pii  pis  est,  le  jiain  (pie  nuus  nian- 
gions,  nous  le  inangions  furt  csoluirseniet,  et  ustoit  tout  corrompu  et 
gast(3.  niesmement  aussi  lean  (pie  nous  anions  ustoit  toute  emj)uatie, 
de  hnpielle  neantnioins  no'  n'auios  pour  tout  le  long  de  la  ioiirnee 
que  plein  une  petit  tasso. 

Ceste  mauuaise  nourriture  a  este  cause  (juu  nous  cstans  duscen- 
dus  a  tcrre,  sommcs  tobez  en  beaucoup  de  diverscs  maladies,  les- 
quelles  out  cmporte  plusieurs  des  hoinmes  qui  estoyent  en  nostre 
compagnie,  et  fusmes  pour  la  tin  de  ceste  nauigation  perilleuse  et  la- 
mentable, rcndua  a  costc  de  la  llochelle,  ou  nous  auons  este  receus  et 
1-1 


n 


)}'■ 


•  I 


ir 


u         .! 


218 


lIHTOUU'Ar,    t'oM.KCTIONrf    »)!■'    I.OtMrtlANA. 


traittc/.  fort  limii.iiin'iiiciit  ct  irraciciiHctiir't  Ac*  !iul)itiiiis  ilii  ));iv«  ot  do 
cenx  di'  In  villi',  nuns  di-iniut  ilf  Iciirs  l)i('iis  iiiitiiiit  i|ii('  iin.-strc  iit'-cea- 
«itt'!  Ic  It  c|iu'Tiiit :  vt  assistcz  i|iu;  auotis  «'Mtt'  tic  lour  graet',  innis  uuoiis 
cu  a8>*(/,  ill)  (juuy  ciiucuii  retcjiiriRT  on  son  pa}M. 


LI VII K  .SK(;ONI>. 

Novs  aii("Ss  (lit  <!«'  Tcaii  Itiliaiit  (lu'il  s'l'mlianpia  avcc  Tcsliti;  do 

nos  jiuldats  pour  allor  trouuir  los  Ks])a;.'ii(d.s.  ot  losayaiit  ci'iclioz  jiar 

I'oHpaco  do  ciiKj  iuurs  no  los  trouua  pas,  niai.s  il  ronciuitra  I  adiniralo 

do  sun  t'.|uippago.  noinnico  la  'I'riiiito.  ot  resolu  do  crttinuor  ii  di-londro 

la  cii.sto  oontro  la  dosoonto  do.s  Ivspaynuls,  ij.ni()rant  0(!  ijui  nu\i.s  o.stuit 

aduonii  an  tort,  ontra  dedans;  pour,  Nolmi  hi  disoiplino  onlinairo  en 

nior.  iiiiciix  ooniniandrr  il  tons  scs  liuinnios  :   lo  tops  lour  ostuit  fort 

fascliciix.  d'autant  ipic  lo  vent  l■.-^toit  inoruoilloUHeniont  impotuoux,  ot 

])louv(iit  inoossamniont.     Jjo  oiuijuionio  iour  la  toinposto  so  rodoubla, 

ft   los  prossa  do  tollo  sorto.  (pidntiues  no  so  poiiront  ^'ardor  d'estrc 

osclioiuz  il  la  oosto,  au-dosstis  do  la  riuioro  do  May,  oiiuiron  oiiHpianto 

lioiios  :   los  vaissoaux  furont  tmis  roiupus.  ot  lours  munitions  porduos  ■ 

los  lionios   toutos  fois  vindront  tons   ii  torro.  rosoruo  lo  oapitaino  La 

(jlranL'c.  ipii  so  iotta  sus  vu  mast,  ot  fut  on^douti  dos  oaux  ;  homo  on- 

tro  Ir  -  autros  lo(|nol  ost  ii  ro,;,'rottor.  tat  jionr  lo  lion  oonsoil  ot  adrosso 

(^ui  c>toit  on  luy,  ((Uo  anssi  pour  los  fruiots  do  sini  amiahlo  aoooin- 

tanco.  taut  il  ostoit  oomodo  u  drossor  lo.s  homos  pour  hs  rondro  vcr- 

tucux  ot  somblahh's  ii  luy.      Xuz  gens  alors  ostans  sauuc/  ii  tcrro  do 

la  furio  dos  ondes,  sc  trouuoront  inoontinot  on  vno  autre  fasehorio  : 

car  il  la  faim  ((ui  los  tonoit  ils  n'auoyont  auoun  roniodo,  sinon  (ju'ils 

lo  prinssont  tol  tjuo  hi  torro  lour   [>rosont(iit,  c'ost  ii  sauoir.   horbos, 

raoinos  uu  autrcs  tollos  ohosos.  dosipiellos  ils  ponsassent  appaisor  lour 

abbayr.nt  cstomaeh.     11  n'y  auoit  aiissi  do  tjuoy  satisfairo  ii  liur  soif : 

sinon  dos  vioillcs  cisternos,  on  loan  ostoit  fort  trouble,  luosnioment 

I'csciuno  ([u'clle  iottoit.  poiuioit  tant  soulomont  an  ro^j:ardor  fairo  dcs 

plus  sains  los  plus  mahides  :  iioiitmoins  la  rage  do  lour  !:rande  famine 

los  ompurtoit  ii  tout  analer,  combien  (ju'il  lour  somblast  fort  estragc. 

ct  furont  on  tollo  misorc  I'ospacc  do  huiot  iours  entiors.     liO  nculi- 

omo  i(uir  ils  tiouuorot  d'auonturc  vno  barque  assoz  petite,  ot  furont 

do  cola  aueuncment  rocrooz.  esporus  vue  par  oo  moyeus  ils  pourroy- 

ont  fairo  eutedre  lour  naufrago  a  ceux  du  fort.     Or  cntro  eux  ct  Ic 

fort,  il  y  auoit  distance  do  douzo  lioi'ies  par  terre,  ct  cin(|uante  par 

mer,  et  east  fallu  qu'ils  eussent  traucrso  la  riuierc  dcs  Dauphins  qui 


S^ 


i: 


iiy"  ct  do 
ro  iit'1'08- 
Ills  imoiis 


'fslito  (lu 

it1i(>z  par 

iiiliiiiniU: 

ilotoiidrc 

IMS  f.stoit 

liiiairc  en 

stdit  tort 

■huMix.  ct 

rcilmiblii, 

If  d'ostre 

L'iiii|iianto 

ln'i'ducs  ■ 

itaiiu)  La 

llOlllL'  I'll- 

't  adri'HSo 
If  act'din- 
udro  vcr- 

l  tclTO  do 
ascdiorio  : 
lull  <ju'ils 
.  lierlios, 
liser  leur 
l<iir  suit'; 
MiK'Uient 
t'aire  dcs 
Ic  I'aiiiiiic 
:,  ostriiro. 
liC  iieuli- 
ct  furont 
lourroy- 
oux  ot  le 
lauto  par 
)liius  t|ui 


I 


itiiKNrrii  VdYACiK   ,\i;x   t\t>i;rf,  nu   \<»L'itp,i,r,r.   Kuwn;,     'Jll) 

est  fort  jirdfiind*!  ct  larpc.  oiiuirnn  d'vii  ^'raiid  i|Miirt  dc  lii'iu',  piiri|Uoy 
Bans  vaissuaii  cu  lour  ostidt  viio  rlwiso  iniiKissililo  dc  passer  oiitro 
Qiiiid  done  ils  ciirciit  rcctmiiro  la  liarc|iio.  ils  la  caltadcrciit  <lc  Iciirs 
chemises  till  lieu  d'cstoiippes.  Aduiie  Ic  capitaiiic  lean  Kiliaiit.dc  sa 
gracu  ot  niodc'Htio  aecdustuinco.  I'li  apficlii  plusieurs  dc  son  c(inseil.  et 
lour  tl.<t  oimiron  tello  rouionstraiico :  ('oinpa^'innis  t>t  amis,  il  ii'v  a 
iiKiycns  do  erttiiiuor  la  vio  on  telles  miscrcs  ct  calainitcz  la  nmrt 
niMis  s(!r()it  plus  ii  sunliaitter.  (pio  do  viuro  ostaiis  eliar;,'ez  do  telles 
fttlliotions,  .siiKiii  ipio  niistrt;  Imn  l>icii  nuus  a  dt'mo  la  t'ny  do  sa  pmui- 
donco.  pour  attondrcf  lo  scennrs  ttd  ((u'il  luy  plaira  nous  dnnncr.  et 
ccpendant  o'est  ii  nous  d'omployor  tout  nostrc  eiitcndomont.  si  nous 
pourros  trouuer  Tissue  dc  ces  an;roisses.  .lo  suis  d'aduis,  (|u'il  y  en 
ait  iiuelijUes  vns  d'ciilrc  nous.  lesi|Uols  par  ceste  |  ■  titc  lianpie  tendot 
par  dcuors  lo  fort,  fi  tin  d'auertir  imz  ^'cns  ipiils  nous  vieiment  don- 
ncr  (seccMirs  on  ceste  extreme  nooessitc.  Kt  sur  le  eliap  iettaiit 
grosses  larines  ooinMien<;a  u  inuoipier  le  noni  do  Dieu.  so  pro>ternant 
a  terre,  et  tons  eeux  aussi  do  sa  copaiiuie.  J^es  pricrcs  cstant  t'aites, 
lis  coinniencerent  u  rc;rardor  ipii  seroit  lo  plus  idoinc;  fi  tairc  le 
voya^rc  ;  et  noiiicrent  Thomas  lo  Vasseur  de  l>ic|ipe.  n  ipii  lean  Hi- 
baut  dOna  cliargo,  (|u'au  plustost  il  list  entedrc  u  no/,  gens  on  (piel 
de-^astre  ils  estoyet  tomliez.  ct  allerciit  aueei|ues  luy,  Vincent  Simon, 
Michel  (Jouor  et  autres  iusnu'au  nondire  dc  seize.  Xoz  gens,  eommo 
i'ay  dit  ci  deviit.  cstoyent  du  costo  do  la  riuierc  au  dela  ku  fort,  et  le 
iour  niosnio  veircut  dc  I'autre  costc  vers  le  fort  vnc  trouppc  d'iiomos 
en  armes.  I'enseigiH!  desployce.  Apres  ipi'ils  eurent  coltuu  par  I'oiee- 
tures.  autant  ((u'ils  en  pcuret  prendre,  en  telle  distance  de  lieu.  i|Uo 
c'estoyent  Kspagiiols.  Xoz  Francvii.s  en  telle  aliysnie  d'angoisso, 
pour  exti'cme  rccours  envoycret  ;i  nagi?  (piei(|ucs  vns  de  la  (Mmpagnio, 
pour  k'ur  faire  ollre  dc  so  rendrc  Icurs  vies  sauvt'S.  J>cs  dch'guez 
fureiit  re('us  de  priuu;  face  asscz  liumainemciit.  iic  eapitainc  dc 
coste  conipagnie  Kspagiiolo,  loipiel  se  faisoit  nomer  N'allcmande.  pro- 
testa  on  foy  dogentilliommo,  cheualicr  et  elirestien.  dc  ya  liieiivuci!- 
lance  enuers  Ics  l-'runcols.  nicsmemcnt  aussi  ijue  c'cstoit  la  fa<-o  ([ui 
auoit  osto  do  tout  temps  prati(|uee  en  la  guerre  ipie  IKspagnul  vic- 
torieux  so  cotcntast,  ii  rendmit  du  Francois  jirineipalement.  .-ans 
passer  jdus  outre:  exhortant  en  truehcnict.  filiii  <|''  tons  fusscnt 
pcrsuadez  de  ecsto  belle  jiromosso,  ipie  ianiais  il  nc  voudroit  t'airo 
en  cost  cndroit,  deipioy  Ics  nations  so  puisseiit  en  apres  ressentir.  et 
prestement  list  ai'coustrer  vnc  banpio,  en  laiiuelle  il  eoiui'idu  c[U  11  y 
oust  cinn  homes  Kspagnols  ipii  ontrassent  dedu'is.  et  (ju'ils  jiassassciit 
outre  Ti  nos  gens,  ce  ipi'ils  iirent.  Or  estans  passez,  et  la  harangue 
faito  dc  la  part  du  capitaiue  Vallouiande,  le  capitaiuo  loan  llihaut 


M 


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lir 


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if-    .  ; 

i   ' 

I  i] 


220 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


entra  des  premitM-s  en  la  barque  avcc  Ics  autrcs,  iusques  au  nonibro  do 
trento,  (jui  fut  rcrou  do  Vallcniande  assez  liuinaiiieniet,  niais  les  au- 
trcs l<^squols  cstoyeiit  do  sa  coiiipagiiio  furent  nicnez  assez  loin  arri- 
cre  do  luy.ct  lioz  tous,  deux     deux,  les  mains  derriero  Ic  dos. 

Alors  Ic  reste  dos  nostrcsi  passoit,  trcntc  a  la  fois,  cepondant  que 
Valleniando  faisoit  entretenir  do  paroles  feintes  et  siniulees  co  bon 
capitaino  lean  Ilibaut.  leijuol  s'attijiidoit  simplenient  a  la  foy  do  ce 
Valleniando,  a  laquello  il  s'estoit  rendu.  Or  les  nostrcs  estans  tous 
passez  furet  ainsi  lioz  ensemble  deux  a  doux.  et  cnninie  ils  ostoyont 
tous  ensemble,  Francois  et  Espagnols,  clieminoyet  vers  lefort;  Ic 
capitaine  lean  Ilibaut  et  autres  nommeimcnt  lo  sieur  d'Ottigny, 
quand  ils  veiront  ainsi  les  nostres  estans  couplez  ensemble,  commen- 
cerent  a  changer  do  couleur,  ot  do  rechef  so  recommai  lerent  a  la  foy 
dudit  sieur  do  Valleniando  qui  les  asseuroit:  lour  disant,  quo  ces 
liens  esfoyent  souleniet  pour  les  mener  iusques  au  fort  en  asseurance, 
et  quo  la  il  leur  tiendroit  ce  (|u'il  auoit  proniis  :  et  come  ils  estoyont 
assez  pres  du  fort,  il  comiiie(;a  a  s'onquerir  do  ceux  (jui  ostoyont  ma- 
telots,  charpentiers  do  naviro,  canoniers  et  autres,  lesquels  seroyent 
vtiles  aux  offices  do  la  marine,  lesijuels  estans  clioisis  se  trouuorent 
le  nonibre  dc  trcntc  homes,  et  bicntost  apres  voici  vnecompagnio  du 
fort,  laqucllc  conipagnio  venoit  a  I'encontre  do  noz  gens,  lesquels  on 
faisoit  niarclier  arriere  du  sieur  do  A'^allcniado  et  dc  sa  conipagnio, 
ainsi  nomnie  on  foroit  vn  trouppeau  do  bestos  lequel  on  ehasseroit  a 
la  boucherio.  lors  a  son  dc  phiffres,  tabourins  et  trompes,  la  hardiesse 
de  ces  furicux  Espagnols  so  besbedessur  ces  poures  Francois,  lesquels 
estoyent  liez  etgarottez:  la  c'estoit  a  qui  donncroit  Ic  plus  beau 
cousp  de  pic(iue,  do  hallebardo  et  d'ospeo,  do  sorte  quo  on  demye 
heurc  ils  gagiierC-t  lo  champ  et  cniportorent  coste  glorieuse  victoire, 
tuans  ceux-la  vaillamment  qui  s'estoycnt  redus,  et  lesi|uels  ils  avoyet 
reccu  a  leur  foy  et  sauuegarde. 

Or  durant  cestc  cruaute  le  capitaine  lean  Ribaut  fait  quelques 
reniontranees  a  Valleniando,  pour  sauuer  sa  vie:  mesmes  le  sieur 
d'Ottigny  so  iettant  a  ses  pieds,  Tappelloit  de  sa  promesse:  niais 
tout  cela  no  leur  servit  de  rien :  car  leur  tournant  le  dos  niarcha 
quelques  pas  arriere  d'eux,  et  I'vn  de  ses  bourreaux  frappa  par  derri- 
ero d'vn  coup  de  daguo  le  capitaine  lean  Ilibaut,  tcUemcnt  qu'il  le 
fist  toniber  par  terre,  et  puis  bien  tost  apres  redoubla  deux  ou  trois 
coups,  tant  qu'il  luy  eust  este  la  vie. 

Voila  quel  a  este  le  traiteinet  (|ue  les  nostres  (lesquels  s'estoycnt 
renuus  sous  ombre  de  bonne  foy)  ont  rccu  de  I'Espagnol.  Et  pour 
comblcr  lour  cruaute  et  barbaric ;  ils  ont  rase  la  barbe  du  lieutenant 
du  roy,  pour  faire  monstro  de  leur  expedition,  et  I'ont  bien  tost 


¥ 


6 


DERN'IER    VOYAGE    AUX    INDE3,  OU    NOUUELI.E    FRANCE.      221 

apres  enuoyeo  Ti  Ciuilo,  ainsi  come  aucuns  do  noz  matelots,  resoruci! 
oL  eiii[,1oyez  pour  co  mcsnio  voyage,  nous  out  cos  iours  passez  fiilelo- 
ment  racoote,  nomniemcnt  Cliristophc  lo  Breton  du  Ilaure  de  (liiice, 
Ictjuel  s'cst  secrottcment  retire  do  Ciuilo  i"i  la  ville  de  Bourdcaux,  et 
s'est  fait  porter  par  les  nauires  de  Bourdeaux  Ti  Dieppe,  et  pour  le 
tropliec  de  leur  renomnieo  et  victoire,  deiuenilirerent  Ic  corps  de  ce 
bon  et  fidele  scruiteur  du  roy,  et  firent  de  sa  teste  (^uatre  (juartiers 
lesquels  ils  Bchercnt  en  ^uatre  picijues,  et  puis  les  plautorut  aux 
quatre  eoings  du  fort. 


I 


[Tliis  narrative  is  one  of  groat  value  and  inii)(irta!iO('  to  tlio  historian,  ami  is 
necessary  to  I'stalijisli  Ilie  claim  of  France  to  Florida.  Louisiana  was  a  part  of 
the  vast  territory  of  the  new  worlil,  claimed  liy  the  Spaniards  under  tlie  iiaaie 
of  Florida,  and  by  the  French  under  that  ot"New  France.  After  the  disastrous 
expeditions  of  Narvaez  and  De  Soto.  Spaii  virtually  abandoned  this  wilderness 
of  territory  as  uuworthv  of  her  arms,  and  for  more  than  thirtv  v<'ais  she  neg- 
lected  to  conlirm  her  claim  to  its  discovery  by  any  one  act  of  possession  as  re- 
c'Ogniz('(l  by  the  laws  of  nations. 

Such  was  the  stall  of  tliin<;s  when  the  brave  and  intrepid  commander,  .lean 
Ribaut,  arrived  in  New  France  or  Florida,  (which  had  been  jireviousiy  dis- 
covered and  described  by  Vcra/zano.  a  French  navigator,)  to  settle  a  colony 
071(1  take  possession  by  order  of  his  King,  Charles  IX.,  in  lotj'i.  For  two 
years  or  more  the  French  held  peaceable  possession  of  all  this  country,  and 
their  occupancy  gave  to  them  an  indisputable  title.  The  legitimates  of 
France  and  Spain,  Charles  the  Ninth  and  I'hilip  the  Second,  were  at  this  time 
at  perfect  peace;  but  the  latter,  finding  that  the  French  had  taken  possession 
of  New  France,  dispatched  Don  Peilro  Meleiidez  de  .\viles,  a  man  of  cruel  ilis- 
position  and  accustomed  to  scenes  of  blood,  in  150.').  to  dis[)ossess  the  French 
and  ilrive  them  from  the  country.  He  arrived  on  the  coast  on  the  lJ8th  August, 
l-'iiif)  and  having  ascertained  the  strength  and  position  of  the  French  colony,  he 
deemed  it  his  first  duty  to  destroy  the  colonists. 

About  the  same  time,  .lean  Ribaut  airived  with  succors  and  aid  for  the 
colony,  but  his  fleet  was  driven  to  sea  by  a  storm,  and  his  vessels  wrecked, 
Meleiidez  landed  his  troojis  near  the  present  town  of  St.  Augustine,  and  by  a 
rapid  and  secret  march  through  woods  and  swamps  he  arrived  before  Fort 
Carolina,  and  after  a  sjiiiited  resistance  it  was  takiii  by  storm,  and  the  garrison 
put  to  the  sword,  lie  then  decoyed  the  troojis  of  the  French  ex|)i'dition 
which  had  been  cast  away  on  the  shores  of  Florida,  and  most  treacherously 
massacred  them  on  St.  Matthew's  day  (the  St.  l5artliolomcw's  of  the  Protestants 
in  America),  not  even  sparing  their  brave  conimaiider,  Jean  Ribaut.  who  was 
dispatched  by  the  dagger  of  an  assassin.  The  whole  nunilier  of  French  who 
fell  in  this  carnage  was  about  nine  hundred.  ."Many  of  the  bodies  were  sus- 
pended from  trees  with  this  in.scription  :  "  X't  as  Faiicknicn.  but  us  km/ics.  ' 
M.  Da  Gourgues,  a  Fri'iich  nobleman,  litidiiig  that  liiii  sovereign  neglected 
to  call  Spain  to  an  account  for  this  outrageous  and  cruel  act,  litted  out  at  his 
own  risk  and  expense  an  expedition,  in  J.')!)?  and  sailed  for  Florida.  He  arrived 
after  a  long  voyage  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  .May.  and  was  saluted  by  the 
Spaniards,  who  mistook  him  for  one  of  their  own  nation.    To  conlirm  them 


■.',!. 


llil; 


n 


222 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


in  their  error,  ho  returned  tlic  salute  and  passed  on  to  the  St.  Miiry's,  where  he 
landed.  He  tlKMV  as.semhkd  a  body  of  tin?  nativi's,  who  were  strongly  attached 
to  tiie  French,  and  niarclied  for  the  river  St.  John's.  Tlie  Siiaiiiunls  iiad  reliuilt 
Fort  Carolina,  changing  tiie  name  to  St.  Matheo,  and  constructed  two  other 
forts  nearer  the  sea.  These  were  garrisoned  by  tln-ee  hundred  men.  The 
French  and  Indians  surjjrised  the  forts,  killed  a  great  numl)er  in  tlie  tssaidt, 
and  the  rest  he  hung  upon  the  trees.  Having  accomplished  his  object  and 
destroyed  the  forts,  M.  di^  G(nirgues  returned  to  France.  Ttie  French  made 
no  further  attempt  to  e.stal)lish  themsidves  in  this  jiart  of  New  France.  But 
after  the  discovery  of  the  A!ississippi  river  they  fitted  out  an  expedition  under 
M.  do  la  Salle  to  colonize  Louisiana, J 


I'; 


whero  he 
f  attached 
lail  rebuilt 
two  otlier 
lien.  The 
lu  i.ssaiilt, 
ilijrct  and 
nch  made 
mce.  But 
tiou  under 


JOURNAL  IIISTORiaUE 


L'ETARLISSEMENT   DES  FRANCAIS 


w 


A    LA   LOriSIANE 


M.  DE  SAUVOLE.* 


'/I  i! 


RiXiU'il  que  faiprh  f^iir  mon  journcl  dr  cr  qui  a'' est  pasti6  dc  plus 
rcmaniitahh  drpuis  Ic  depart  de  M.  d'' IbcrvUle,  du,  3  Mai  1099 
jusqit'cii  1701. 


M.  d'Ibervillo  m'ayant  donne  lo  commandcnicnt  du  fort  qu'il  a  fait 
construiro,  j'ai  fait  travailler  no.s  gens  pour  so  mcttre  a  I'abri  des 
injures  du  temps  ;  r"  qui  n'avait  pu  so  fairo  avant  .sou  depart  prosse 

*  TIic  Historical  Journal  of  JVI.  de  Suuvole  is  a  narrative  of  yreat  interest 
and  value,  ln'cause  it  gives  tlie  details  of  what  took  i)lace  when  tlii;  first 
colony  of  Louisiana  was  estublished.  It  should  have  preceded  that  of  La  Harpe's 
Journal  in  this  volunie.  M.  de  Sauvole  was  one  of  the  most  accomplished  otli- 
cers  that  ever  went  to  Lonisianu.  lie  was  a  poft  an  orator,  and  a  suldicr.  In 
the  high  circles  of  society,  where  his  birth  and  fortune  entitled  him  to  ai)pear, 
he  made  a  great  sensation  on  aceonnt  of  iiis  l)rilliaiit  attainments  as  a  scholar. 
Although  Ixjrn  to  fortune  he  preferred  a  lil'e  of  activity  in  the  service  of  the 
country  toone  of  ease  and  retirement  and  when  he  heard  that  M.  d'Iberville  was 
about  to  sail  for  Louisiana,  he  begged  to  join  tlir  expedition.  Having  loeatiid  the 
colony,  and  protected  them  by  a  fort.  M,  il<'  Iberville  set  sail  for  Frances  in  the 
beginning  of  1009,  U-aving  Sauvole  and  Bienville  his  lieutenants,  the  first  to 
command  the  fort,  and  the  other  as  general  suiierinteiident  of  the  colony. 

In  the  course!  of  this  year  two  missionaries  tVom  Canada,  aceoinp.uiied  by 
sixteen  Canadians,  descended  the  Mississippi  to  its  mouth,  and  saile(l  along  the 
coast  until  tliey  reached  the  colony  at  Bilo.\i.  A  communication  with  Canada 
was  afterwards  kt'i)t  open  i»y  Pass  Manchae  or  Iberville  and  the  lakes  in  the 
rear  of  New  Ork'ans.  During  the  absence  of  M,  d'Iberville,  Bienville  was  inde 
fatigable  in  making  explorations  to  secure  the  jirosperity  and  perjietuity  of  the 


\m 


,-.^" 


i 

111 

I  ': 

i  <;:    1 

II 


I'  i;. 


;^i; 


111' 


224 


HISTORICAIi    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


par  Ic  peu  dc  vivrcs  (|u'il  avait.  Lour  log(Miient  I'tant  fini.  jc  lour  ai 
fait  cl(iro  Ic  luagasin  iju'il  avait  drossc :  ousuitc,  nous  avoii.s  fait  un 
HApital.  ct  nous  nous  soninics  ilonne>:  autaiit  do  jour  (pio  nous 
I'avoiis  pu  autour  du  fort,  on  abattant  lus  ai])ro.s  d'aloiitonr  (jni  etai- 
ent  d'lino  grossour  prodigieuse.  Jc  mo  suis  attaoln'  dos  lo  com- 
moneoniont  a  connaitrc  lo  fort  ct  Ic  faiblo  d'un  Ciiacun.  poiir  iitablir 
la  disoiplino  (ju'il  faut  toujour.s  fairo  observer.  L'on  no  lo  :^aurait 
sans  peine,  surtout  Ti  dos  gens  raniasses  dont  la  plupart  n'en  ont  ja- 
mais en  la  nioindre  tointuro  :  notrc  Auinonier  a  dit  journellonicntj 
coinnie  dans  nos  vaisseaux.  los  prieres  ordinaircs  ct  la  niesse.  M.  do 
Bionvillo  ot  Lovassour,  ct  M.  Bordencau.  notrc  Aunionier.  lour  ont 
donno  tros  bon  oxoniple. 

Lo  17  dc  Mai,  nous  avons  apporcu  unc  funu'c  ;\  I'ouost  du  fort, 
dc  I'autro  cote  dc  la  rado.  J'y  ai  envoye  un  canot  [tour  voir  qui  c'etait — 
nos  gens  ont  anione  lo  cliof  dos  Baiagoulas  avcc  trois  autres  ,'^auva- 
ges.  Jc  lour  ai  fait  la  nioilleure  reeoptiim  (ju'il  ma  etc  possible,  et 
fait  mettrc  la  garnison  sons  los  arnios  :  ce  ipii  n'a  pas  laissr  dc  los 
effrayor.  Comme  c'etait  la  premiere  dc  lours  visitos  en  co  fort,  j'ai 
coniblo  d'honneurs  ce  clief.  et  I'ai  fait  manger  tout  son  saoul :  c'ost  le 
plus  grand  do  lours  plaisirs.  Ileureusement.  cc  jour  la  nos  chas- 
seurs avaient  tue  trois  oliovrcuils.  Lour  aviiut  mis  uno  eliemise  u 
chacun  sur  lour  corps,  jo  lour  ai  fait  voir  le  fort;  ils  ont  etc  surpris 
qu'en  si  peu  do  tcnifis  nous  ayonscntasse  do  si  gros.scs  pieces  do  bois 
les  unes  sur  Ics  autrcs ;  nos  canons  ne  les  ont  pas  moins  etonnes;  ils 
les  ont  trouvi's  monstrucux,  bion  (ju'ils  no  soient  quo  dc  8.  J'ai  fait 
tirer  deux  coups  a  ballo  devant  eux  :  ils  no  savaiont  ou  so  mettrc 
tant  ils  avaient  peur.  Ayant  passe  unc  nuit  tres  tramiuillonicnt 
parmi  nous  ;  a  une  alarme  pros  (juc  le  sergent  leur  donna  avoc  sa 
hallobarde,  vcnant  prendre  I'ordro,  et  parlant  au  major  a  I'oroille  ; 
cela  les  fit  revor  profondeincnt :  m'cn  otant  appcrcu,  jc  les  rassurai 


'!    ! 


ii- 


colony.  But  tlie  condition  of  the  colonists  soon  lucani.' chan_!j;e(l  by  tlu;  inroads 
of  the  cliniiite  ui)on  their  coiisiitntions;  and  before  31.  (I'lberville's  return  sick- 
ness liiid  made  such  riiviigus  among  tlicin  tliat  many  died  of  malignant  f 'vers, 
probalily  of  what  is  now  called  the  eontj'stivc  and  yrllow  fever,  so  common  to 
Louisiana,  among  whom  was  the  yoiitiil'ul  eommaiidcf  of  l^iloxi  the  lamented 
M.  yanvojc.  His  career  was  short  but  brilliant.  IJrloved  by  all  the  colonists 
and  followed  to  the  grave  by  I  heir  tears  and  regiM  ts  his  name  will  ever  be  con- 
secrated with  tho.se  who  saerilieed  their  lives  to  the  glory  of  Franee  and  the 
coloni/.atioii  of  Louisiana.  Tlie  pieturesciue  iiiins  of  the  old  fort  of  Hiloxi.  now 
occupied  by  an  Anglo-American  family,  wiih  its  bastions  still  throwing  their 
eveiung  siiadows  upon  the  jilaeid  waters  of  the  bay.  mark  tiic  s[)ot  where  Iber- 
ville and  iJienville  often  met  to  drop  a  tear  upon  the  grave  of  one  ever 
dear  to  the  memory  of  Louisianians. 


JOURNAL   nn    M.    SiAUVor.R. 


225 


6 

f 

} 


par  des  caressos.  Lo  leinlcniiiiii,  au  jioiiit  du  jour,  ils  in'avonorcnt 
quo  U'liis  famines  etaiont  do  I'autro  cote,  et  (ju'ils  seraiont  ravis  de 
leur  fairo  voir  Ic  fort.  I-o  clief  los  voyant  drbanjuor  iiic  fit  signc  do 
fairo  iiK.'ttro  los  soldats  sous  los  ariiios,  ot  cliorolia  dans  lo  tnrt.  criant 
hautoiiH'iit  (juo  sa  foinino  y  ofait.  ot  (ju'il  fallait  lui  fairo  los  inrinos 
honiioiirs  ija'a  lui.  Jo  n'avais  pas  conipte  que  los  siiuvairos  y  fussent 
scnsiblos.  A{)ros  otro  rosto  trois  ou  quatre  jours  parnii  nous,  lis 
partirout  Je  lour  ai  loniie  doux  do  iios  jeuiios  garrons  pour  qu'ils 
approuuont  lour  languo  ;  ils  cuvorrout  Tun  aux  Ilouuias  ot  gardoront 
I'autro  olioz  eux.  Co  cliof  s'appollo  Autobotoauia.  Cost  lo  sauvage 
le  plus  ruso  (juo  jo  counaissc,  ot  ((ui  va  lo  plus  u  sos  fius.  II  iii'a  dit 
que  la  oouvorturo  (juo  M.  d'Ibervillo  lui  avait  doniiro.  avait  ou  le 
memo  sort  (juo  saiuaisou  (pii  avait  etc  bndee  ;  bion  quo  jo  u'oii  eru.5sc 
ricn.  jo  lui  ai  doune  un  liabit  rouge  ou  oapot :  iiiais  jo  lui  ai  fait  en- 
tendre i(UO  je  no  le  lui  donnais  (pio  pour  (ju'il  out  plus  do  soin  du 
jeuno  lionuno  (jue  je  lui  coiifiais.  Jo  donnai  i^i  eliacun  dos  autros  de 
petits  presents,  des  rassades,  dos  coutcaux,  quobjues  liaolios  ;  ct  Ics 
engageai  par  lu  a  conduire  M.  de  IJionville  aux  J"](juiiiipii-lias.  aux- 
quels  j'onvoyai  aussi  un  jjrosoiit  d'un  capot,  d'un  calumet,  do  rassades 
et  autros  affaires  propros  agagnor  j)aroil!csgons.  Le  cliof  dos  Baia- 
goulas  balanca  long-temps  s'il  y  irait  ou  non,  me  disant  qu'il  iic  rr- 
pondait  pas  (jue  les  autrcs  ne  tuassent  nos  gens.  Je  lui  dis  que  nous 
no  craignions  personne,  et  que  .s'ils  faisaiont  ([uebiuo  niauvaise 
demarolio.  j'irais  les  tuer  tons.  Voyant  (ju'll  ne  pouvait  plus  so  dis- 
penser d'y  aller.  il  s'y  dotormina.  II  ne  disait  tout  cola  ini'on  vue 
d'avoir  tout  pour  lui  et  pour  no  pas  nous  donner  counaissance 
d'aucune  autre  nation. 

Le  20.  M.  de  Bienville  est  revenu  dos  Coulapissas,  c'est  ainsi 
qu'ils  so  noujuient,  lis  no'nt  jamais  oui  parlor  de  M.  do  Ijusalle  ni 
do  jM.  de  Tonty.  II  y  a  oti'  bion  rO(_u.  lis  no  sont  qu'u  quatre 
journoos  do  nous.  lis  m'ont  envoyo  doux  calumets  do  paix  ;  nuilgre 
cela,  ils  n'ont  jamais  approclio  d'ici.  II  faut  i|ue  le  chof  dos  Baia- 
goulas  los  ait  intimidi's.  faisant  croire  (jue  o'otait  eux  (jue  nous  cher- 
chions.  31.  d'Ibervillo  et  moi,  lors(|uo  nous  los  avons  tant  (jues- 
tionnes  sur  'a  fourche  de  la  riviere  ot  sur  los  Qalnipissas.  lis  ne 
sont  jias  plus  de  cent  cin(juanto  liommos,  mais  tres  bien  faits. 

Lo  bio  d'indo  (jue  nous  avioiis  some  et  autres  lierbagos  ont  ete 
bruli's  i)ar  I'ardour  du  soloil.  31.  d'Iborville  pent  avoir  avanoti  rjue 
tout  y  venait  a  nierveillc  :  il  est  vrai  aussi  que  quand  il  piirtit.  je  lui 
offris  a  manger  d'une  salade  de  laitues.  bion  qu'il  n'y  out  (juo  IS  jours 
qu'on  I'avait  somee.  Mais  la  sijclieresse  a  ('te  si  grando.  ijuo  tons  les 
niarais  out  si'chi'.     Le  mois  de  Juin  est  le  plus  chaud,  cost  colui-la 


i  :  I 


jtJII 


226 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


11  !■ ' 


<«1 


ou  nous  avons  eto  en  grando  disctte  d'can  ;  et  sans  Ic  sccours  d'un 
petit  ruissoau  ({uo  jo  trouvai  I'tant  ;i  la  cliasf^c  a  uiio  lieue  ot  demic 
du  fort,  nous  cusisioii.s  eti'  mal  dans  nos  atFairos,  n'on  trouvaut  pas 
une  goutte  dans  los  autros  endntits.  II  y  a  unc  si  grande  (|uantite 
do  croeudilos  (ju'on  en  voit  a  tout  nioinont ;  niais  nous  n'avons  pas 
lien  de  nous  en  plaindrc  jusijuTi  present ;  nous  en  avons  tue  plu- 
sieurs  au  pied  du  fort ;  ils  n'y  rcviennunt  plus  si  freijueninicnt.  Les 
serpens  sont  beaucoup  plus  dangereux.  .T'en  ai  vu  la  prouve  sur  un 
de  mes  chiens  ipii  etaiit  niordu  par  un  serpent  a  sonnettes  no  vecut 
point  un  (juart  d'iicure.  li  enfla  si  fort  sur  le  champ,  ([u'il  ne  put 
branler  de  I'endroit.     Ileureuseinent  personne  n'a  eu  ce  nienie  sort. 

J'ai  envoyu  reconnaitre  la  baie  de  la  Mobile  le  9  Juin,  et  le 
fort  de  Pensacola  ;  voir  si  los  Kspagnols  ne  I'auraicnt  point  aban- 
donne  fautc  de  vivres,  coninie  huirs  deserteurs  nous  I'avaient  assure  ; 
ce  qu'ils  n'avaient  point  fait  par  le  rapport  de  M.  de  Bienville  (jui  y 
a  etc;  mes  instructions  le  portant.  je  n'eusse  fait  nullc  difficiilte  d'y 
envoycr  dix  honimes  jusqu'a  I'arrivee  des  vaisseaux,  ou  pour  mieux 
dire,  nous  nous  y  fussions  tous  transportes. 

Je  ne  saurais  occuper  nos  gens  (jue  deux  heures  le  matin  et  deux 
heures  le  soir,  a  cause  du  grand  chaud,  pour  defricher  et  bruler  au- 
tour  du  fort,  tant  il  fait  chaud.  La  plupart  de  nos  gens  ont  ete 
atteints  de  la  dissenterie.  Les  mauvai.ses  eaux  la  leur  ont  sans  doute 
causee :  encore,  n'en  trouve-ton  pas  quand  on  veut :  a  I'l'-gard  du 
terrain,  il  est  assurement  fort  ingrat.  Ce  n'cst  quasi  que  du  sable 
brulant — nos  gens  ont  seme  tres  souvent,  et  infructucusement.  Les 
arbres  sont  sur  pied  perces  de  vers ;  les  traversic^'s  en  ont  ete  en- 
dommages.  Ca  n'a  pas  ete  sans  peine  si  nous  les  avons  roniis  en 
6tat,  personne  ne  s'en  etant  drfir,  et  encore  ra  n'etait  il  pas  trop  bien; 
j'avoue  tres  ingenuement  tout  contre  moi  sur  ce  qui  vient  en  ma  con- 
naissance. 

La  riviere  do  la  3Iobile  est  peu  de  chose ;  son  terrain  est  bas  et 
sturile ;  point  d'eau  ii  son  entree,  7  pieds  seulement;  encore  Tentrec 
est  elle  tres  difficile. 

Le  2.J  de  Juin,  nos  gens  ont  amene  deux  savages  de  la  nation  des 
Biloxis  (ju'ils  ont  trouve  sur  le  bord  de  I'eau.  lis  n'ont  pu  parlor  a 
leurs  femmes  qui  etaient  avec  eux  et  qui  s'en  sont  enfuies.  Je  leur 
ai  fait  le  meilleur  accueil  (juo  je  I'ai  pu,  et  douue  quelques  baches,  un 
sabre  et  un  chapeau. 

Le  chef  des  Baiagoulas  ni'a  laisse  ici  un  sauvage  age  de  22  ans 
pour  apprcndre  notre  languc :  il  a  fort  bien  redressi'  les  autres  sur 
ce  qu'il  lour  voyait  faire  (jui  n'approchait  point  de  notre  maniere; 
il  nous  i-opie  de  son  luieux  ;  il  serait  fort  fache  de  nous  quitter. 


aii'-rl 


JOURNAL    DE    M.     SAUVOLE. 


227 


J'iii  onvoyi'  roconnaitro  la  riviere  dos  Pascagoulas  et  Biloxis  ^ui 
est  ii  (k'ux  ou  eiiKj  lioues  d'ici ;  sou  terrain  est  bon  a  de\ix  jipumecs 
dc  son  cinliDUcliure ;  il  n'y  a  que  deux  piods  d'oau  u  sou  entri'e,  et 
a  uu  donii  eablo  7  Ti  8  brasses;  elle  serpente  beaucoup  ayaiit  fait  IG 
lieues.  L'ou  rencontre  les  villages  dcs  rascagoulas,  Uiloxis  et  Moc- 
tobis  (jui  ue  sont  pas  'iO  eabanes  en  tout. 

Juillet. — II  est  arrive  deux  eaiiots  d'eeorco  le  lerdeoe  niois,  dans 
lesquels  il  y  avait  deux  niissionnaircs.  lis  etaient  cu  tout  18  liora- 
mes.  lis  sont  du  seniinaire  dc  Quebec.  L'nn  est  ctabli  aux  Taen- 
sas,  et  I'autrc  anx  Tonieas.  lis  out  ajtpris  de  nos  nouvelles  aux 
Hounias.  et  sont  descendus  par  le  bas  du  fleuve  a  la  nier.  lis  out  ote 
dix  jours  dans  leur  traversee  ici,  et  sans  le  secours  de  (juebjues  })luics, 
ils  soraient  morts  de  soif  indubitableniont ;  car,  la  plupart  lUaient  tres 
mal  par  la  disette  d'eau.  Je  leur  ai  fait  tous  Ics  plaisirs  qu'on  pout 
faire  en  pareil  lieu,  et  les  ai  fait  refraicliir  par  dcs  bouillons  dc  oliev- 
reuil  (jui  no  Icur  a  pas  uianijur.  lis  sont  rcstes  ncuf  jours  parmi 
nous.  Je  les  ai  pries  de  prendre  le  parti  de  s'en  aller,  vu  (juc  nous 
n'avions  que  peu  de  vivres.  31.  de  Montigny  u  qui  jc  lue  suis  adresse, 
in'a  dit  (jue  je  lui  faisais  plaisir,  qu'il  n'osait  commander  aux  gens 
qu'il  avait  avec  lui ;  (pi'ils  lui  cusscnt  voulu  du  mal,  s'il  leur  en  cut 
parle  lui-menio,  (ju'il  voyait  bien  que  dix-huit  hommes  n'etaient  ([uo 
trcs  !\  charge  en  paroille  conjoiicturc.  Si  notre  travcrsier  quo  j'avais 
envoye  a  St.  Domingue  venait  a  nian(juer,  la  garnison  en  eut  souf- 
fert,  ct  jc  no  pouvais  pas  m'en  dispenser.  M.  de  3Iontigny  ni'a  mar- 
que envie  de  s'en  aller  etablir  aux  Natchez  (jui  est  la  nation  la  plu3 
nonibreuse  du  bas  du  fleuve,  ct  la  plus  respcctee  des  autrcs  sauvagcs. 
Pour  faeilitcr  quelque  acces  pres  do  leur  chef,  jc  lui  ai  reniis  un  ca- 
pot  rouge  dont  il  lui  ferait  present,  et  <iuel(iues  baches  ct  autrcs  af- 
faires taut  pour  lui  que  pour  les  sauvages  on  ils  out  fait  leur  mission. 
Ils  ont  cmporte  du  vin  pour  dire  la  messe.  des  outils  ct  dc  la  farine. 
Ils  avaicnt  avcc  eux  3  sauvages  de  la  nation  des  Ch'uianons,  et  deux 
autrcs  dcs  Tacnsas.  Je  leur  ai  donne  un  capot  de  toile  a  chacun,  et 
quehiucs  rassades  pour  (pie  les  nations  d'en  haut  ne  doutent  point 
que  nous  ne  soyons  au  bas  du  fleuve.  Ces  sauvages  sc  trouvaiont  si 
bien  paruii  nous,  que  ces  Messieurs  ont  en  beaucoup  do  peine  ;i  les 
fairj  embarquer ;  il  a  fuUu  que  je  leur  aic  donne  pour  leur  servir  de 
guide  pour  le  portage  le  joune  honuno  des  IJaiagoulaS,  n'ayant  pour 
pilote  (jue  le  petit  enfant  quo  j'avais  envoye  aux  Houmas,  tju'ils 
avaicnt  pris  aux  Baiagoulas  en  descendant. 

Un  nomme  Launay  qui  etait  avec  eux  m'a  fait  unc  carte  du 
fleuve  (ju'il  dit  avoir  dcscendu  et  monte  doux  ou  trois  fois.  II  etait 
avec  M.  de  Tonty  quaud  il  a  fait  la  paix  avcc  les  Quinipissas  qui 


y  ! 


:!^V 


J 


228 


mSTOHtCAI-    COLIiECTIONH    OP    LOUISIANA. 


n  J 


w^ 


nous  out  si  adroitcincnt  caolie  cctte  nation.  II  m'a  assure  quo  Ic  clief 
des  Mi)j,'oulaclias  ost  viiritalilcniont  colui  des  Quinipissas.  lis 
etaient  etabli.s  en  cc  temps  \h  '-10  lieues  ])lus  bas  (ju'ils  ne  soiit  u  pre- 
sent; la  inaladie  los  a  detruits  ;  lo  pen  (pi'il  en  est  rcste  s'est  joint  fi 
la  nation  des  Mogoulaclias  dont  Ic  ehef  est  du  uombre,  et  I'ont  reeu 
pour  tel,  car  il  est  le  chef. 

Lo  13,  lo  chef  des  Pascagoulas  est  vonu  nous  porter  en  chantant 
le  calumet  de  paiy  ;  il  avait  Ti  sa  suite  7  liommes  de  la  nienie  nation. 
Je  n'ai  jioint  vu  de  sauvages  moiiis  enibarriisses  ;  ils  nous  out  em- 
brasses,  co  que  jo  n'avais  point  vu  faire  aux  autres  ;  ils  passont  douce- 
ment  la  main  sur  la  poitrine  fi  lour  abord.  Ayant  elove  lours  bras 
au  olel,  ils  m'ont  apporte  en  present  (i  poaux  de  chovreuil.  dont  ils 
out  fait  present  sur  le  champ  a  nos  chasseurs,  pour  faire  des  souliers 
sauvages,  (juoh^uo  peu  de  viande  boucaneo  et  la  inoitie  d'un  chevrcuil. 
lis  sont  ropartis  apres  avoir  eu  leurs  presents  commo  los  autros. 

II  a  prostjuc  plu  tons  los  jours  pendant  lo  mois  de  Juillet.  Nous 
n'irons  plus  cherclior  a  boire  si  loin  Sans  le  vent  de  sud  ouost  (jui 
regno  dans  los  grandos  chalours,  on  sorait  mal  en  ce  pays.  Le  21  du 
mois  il  e.st  arrive  (juatre  sauvages  do  la  nation  des  Pascagoulas,  (jui, 
aprc's  avoir  passe  uno  nuit  parmi  nous,  sont  ropartis  chargt's  do  nos 
presents  <{ui,  scion  eux,  ne  sont  que  tres  minces. 

Quant  au  sujet  de  I'eau  de  vie,  jo  n'cn  puis  parlor  qu'avec  aigrour, 
et  dlr(>  quo  c'est  la  plus  pernicieuso  boisson  qu'il  y  ait  tant  pour  la 
sante  que  pour  los  discussions  et  querolles  qui  en  proviennent :  elle 
ruine  le  corps,  abrutit  rhonime  ;  (piolquo  precaution  quo  j'aie  pu  pren- 
dre, il  ne  m'a  pas  ete  possible  do  lour  fairo  boiro  Icur  ration  journel- 
lement ;  ils  la  prennont  pourtant  de  nu'-ine  ;  niais  ils  ont  lo  secret  de 
la  caclier  si  secretement  (|u'on  no  saurait  la  deterrer  pour  la  boire 
quand  ils  en  ont  assoz  accumule.  S'il  etait  possible  d'envoyor  du  vin 
suffisamment,  ou  assez  de  grain  et  de  me'lasse  pour  faire  de  la  biere, 
ils  s'en  porteraient  bien  micux  ;  et  cola  nous  oxempterait  d'infliger 
des  punitionsque  neeessite  I'ivrosso.  Le  vin  ne  fait  pas  la  ccntieme 
partie  do  I'cffot  quo  produit  I'oau  de  vie. 

Aoiit. — Le  commenceniont  do  ce  mois  a  ete  le  plus  beau  tiu'on 
puisse  voir  au  mondo.  II  est  arrive  le  8  uno  pirogue  dans  laijucllo 
il  y  avait  sept  sauvages  do  la  nation  des  Pascagoula.s  parmi  les(|uels 
ee  trouvait  le  clicf  de  cctte  mcme  nation  :  il  s'appelle  Chenoua.  Ils 
sont  etablis  sur  la  riviere  de  la  Mobile.  J'avais  dans  mes  instruc- 
tions I'ordro  do  faire  boaucoup  de  caresses  a  ces  nations,  et  de  lour 
donner  un  fusil ;  ce  que  j'ai  fait.  lis  vont  indubitablement  voir  los 
Espagnols  ;  car  ce  chef  avait  un  de  leurs  mousquets.  Outre  le  fusil, 
!e  lui  ai  donni;  un  sabre,  un  chapeau  brode,  un  capot,  un  plumet,  et 


!   ri 


JOtJIlNAL    DF:    M.     SAUVOLE. 


229 


III  »iu'on 

llKjUCllc 

los(|uels 
Ilia.  lis 
iiistruc- 
dc  leur 
voir  Ics 
lo  fusil, 
uiuet,  et 


d'autrcs  presents  pour  los  .sions.  lis  so  soiit  si  bicn  trouvi-s  pariiii 
nous,  <|u'il  n'y  a  point  do  suuvages  qui,  aprcs  Hro  vcnus  ioi,  n'y 
soiont  rovonus  plusieurs  fois. 

Lo  21  AoCit  notro  travorsior  est  revenu  do  St.  Doniinfruo  charpje 
do  vivros  (|ii'il  a  pris  au  oap  ;  nous  n'on  avons  pas  ett;  eonk'iits.  II 
s'ost  trouve  boaucoup  do  t'ariiio  gAtoe.  la  niuitio  d'oau  do  vie  do  nia- 
dcro  d'uno  (luulito  detestable,  reiifonneo  dans  des  barrils  tres  petits 
qui,  I'un  dans  I'autrc  n'etaient  renijdis  (ju'a  un  quart  pres  ;  olle 
etait  dims  les  plus  niauvai.s  f'uts  dii  nionde.  Si  lo  cajiitainc  du  tra- 
vcrsier,  noninie  Guion,  n'oiit  pas  passe  ;\  Leogand,  nous  eussions  eu 
quinze  barrils  do  farino  do  nioiiis,  (jue  M.  Ducasso  lui  a  fait  pren- 
dre pour  faire  les  six  mois  do  vivros  quo  lo  gouvornournous  envoyait: 
il  peut  s't'tre  tronipe.  Quant  a  I'cau  do  vie,  il  mo  nianda  (ju'il  nic 
I'envoyait  nioitie  do  Franee,  uioitie  do  Mad ''re,  n'cn  ayaiit  point 
d'autre. 

Lo  •2-2.  j'ai  envoye  sonder  les  deux  lacs  par  ou  M.  d'Iborvillo  a 
dcscendu  et  qu'il  avait  nomnies  lacs  Poiieliartrain  ct  Maurepas,  cc 
qui  n'e.st  plus.  Par  lo  rapport  qu'il  ni'afait,  il  est  impossible  do  faire 
d'etabli.-isomentsur  lours  Lords,  tant  lo  terrain  y  est  bas  et  noye. 

Lo  27,  j'ai  envoye  deux  canots  d'ecorce  commandos  par  M.  do 
Bienville  avec  six  honimes  lui  conipris  pour  aller  faire  portage  dans 
lo  flouvc  IMicbassippi,  et  lo  doseendre  jusqu'a  son  emboucliuro.  II  a 
trouve  plus  d'oau  dans  le  i-lienal  ou  nous  avons  nionte  que  dans  les 
autres — il  a  monte  aux  liaiagoulasct  aux  ^uinipissas.  11  nommo  los 
Mongoulachas,  Quinipissas,  parcequc  nous  voulous  faire  rovivro  cette 
nation  dontle  chef  est  veritablemont  un  Quinipissas. 

II  a  trouve  ces  deux  nations  tres  affligeos  do  la  perte  do  (luebjucs 
homnie.s  (juo  les  Iloumas  leur  ont  tues,  ayant  ete  chez  eux  le.s  sur- 
prendre  dans  le  temps  (|u'ils  etaient  u  travailler  dans  leurs  (.•liamps. 
lis  I'ont  appris  par  le  petit  garcon  (jui  est  cliez  cux,  du  reste  j'ignore 
la  cause  do  leurs  diiierends. 

En  descendant  lo  fleuve,  et  ;\  2ii  lieuos  do  son  emboucliuro,  M. 
do  Bienville  a  rencontre  unc  frcgate  Aiiglaiso  de  12  canons  a  la  quelle 
il  a  fait  opposition  (coninie  Tordre  que  je  lui  avais  donne  le  portrait). 
C'etait  lo  15  Septembre.     Lo  capitainc  do  la  fregate,  nomine  Barr,* 

*  Coxe,  in  his  description  of  Carolann,  culled  liy  the  Spaniards  Florida,  and 
by  the  French  La  Luiiisianc,  states  that  this  ship  (in  1098)  was  the  titst  that 
ever  entered  the  Mississij)pi  river  fium  the  sea.  lie  further  states  that  in  the 
year  1G78  a  considerable  ininiber  of  persons  went  from  New  England  to  make 
discoveries,  and  proceeded  as  far  as  New  Mexico,  one  hundred  and  lilty  leagues 
beyond  the  Mississippi,  and  after  their  return  rendered  an  account  of  their  ex- 
pedition to  Colonel  Dudley,  afterwards  Governor  of  New  England.    That  liis 


'  >i, 


rr; 


n  I  ■ 


n 


m 


1%  t 


i  II 


r 


230 


IIISTOIIICAI.    COI.I.KCTIO.VS    Ol'    LOUISIANA. 


lui  avouii  Itigenueiiioiit  (jii'il  n'avait  eto  rcoonnaitrc  cotto  rivii'ro  (juc 
pour  y  t'iiire  uci  etablii^.st'iiK'iit  pour  uiio  coiii|ia;:uit; ;  uiiiiH,  voyaiit  ijuo 
nous  iiiuis  (Ml  (Hioiis  t'Uipart''S  avaiit  onx,  ot  nous  croyaiit  etaMis  en 
liaut,  il  a  |iii.s  lo  parti  de  s'oii  rotourncr,  a«surant  lus  notrcH  i^uou  le 
rcverrait  I'anneo  procliainc. 

II  (!st  arrive  13  sauvages  le  dernier  de  Septoinhrc,  de  la  nation  des 
Baiagoulas  et  Quiiii[»is8as. 

liii  rivirre  de  Mississippi  n'a  point  de  courant  ou  tres  pou.  I)c- 
puis  lo  I  Sitptembre  jus(nrau  1")  Novonibre,  I'tau  avait  baisse  de  "-iO 
pieds  aiix  iJaiagoulas  {l\  son  eniboueliuro  il  y  en  a  d'avantage  dans 
ce  temps  lu), 

Lc  17  Octobrc  il  est  arrive  unc  pirosuo  do  Pascagoula  dans  la- 
(juelle  il  y  avait  i:>  sauvages;  parnii  eux,  il  y  en  avait  un  (|ui  venait 
do  la  nation  dcs  Cliactas  ;*  il  nous  a  dit  ij^uc  cctte  nation  etait  fort 

fiitlier  till'  proprietary  of  Carolana,  twenty-three  years  before,  was  possessed  of 
a  jduiiial  I'riPiu  tlio  nioutli  of  tlie  Mfcliasi'ln'  (Mississippi),  wliicii  liad  been 
writtrii  many  years  belore.  tipj^etlu'r  witli  a  larj,'i'  iiim|>  witii  the  iiaiiies  of  the 
rivers,  iiations,  and  iiruduetions  ot'  tliis  enmitry. 

Tliat  in  Kl'.lS  lie  fitted  out  ati  expeditinii  at  liis  own  expense,  cunsistin^  of 
twosiiips,  armed  witli  twenty  jjri'at  ;;iiiis.  sixteen  patereroes.  and  an  almndaiiee 
of  Muall  arms,  aiuiuiinition.  stores  and  |)rovisions  not  only  for  tiie  uso  of  those 
on  hoard,  hut  also  for  building  a  furtilieation  and  settling  a  colony,  there  behig 
ill  both  ves.sels  a  great  niiniber  of  volunteers,  inelniling  gentlemen  and  noble- 
men. 

One  of  tliesi!  vessels,  commanded  by  Captain  Barr.  entered  the  Missi-.si])pi 
and  aseeiided  it  above  one  hundred  miles,  and  would  have?  established  a  colony 
there  liad  tlu'  captain  of  the  other  sliip  doiu'  his  duty  and  not  deserted  him. 

Ih',  liowever.  took  jiosses.^ion  of  this  coiiiil i\v  in  the  name  ot'  his  JNIujesty, 
and  left  in  several  places  tlie  arms  of  (oeat  15iitain  allix.  1  on  hoards  and  trees 
for  a  memorial  thereof 

*  Tlie  Chaetas  and  Chieaehas  came  fi-om  the  west,  according  to  a  tradition 
preserved  among  them,  ami  are  an  otl'-shoot  of  the  Chiclieniecs,  who  Avero 
driven  out  of  Mexico.  After  wandering  many  years,  the  Chaetas  crossed  the 
]Missi^si]iiii,  ami  settled  in  the  territoiy  now  embraced  in  southern  3Iississi[)pi 
and  southucstern  Alaiiama  while  the  Chieaclnis  estal)lished  themselves  in 
northern  ,Alississippi.  and  all  the  westei'ii  hall  of  Tennessee.  'I'hey  s]i<ilie  the 
same  language,  with  the  exeejition  of  a  sliglit  dilh'rence  jiroduced  by  the  intona- 
tion of  tlie  voice.  At  the  time  tin;  French  visited  Louisiana,  they  were  still  a 
powerful  nation,  nnmbcring  atxmt  twenty  thousand  warriors,  and  oeeujiying 
more  than  lifty  large  villages.  They  successively  exterminated  the  Ciiocclai- 
mas  ^^lsous,  Tunicas,  and  several  smaller  tribes  inhabiting  the  banks  of  the 
Mississippi,  They  weri;  slender  in  form  and  very  active,  and  b(>th  sexes  were 
models  of  beauty  and  ligure.  They  marked  their  f  ices  and  bodii's  with  curious 
figures  in  blue  indelible  ink.  and  llattened  tin  ir  heads  by  artificial  means,  hence 
they  were  called  '•  Flalhiaila."  No  Indians  excelled  them  in  liosjiitality.  They 
Avere  superior  orators,  spoke  with  good  sense,  and  used  most  beautiful  meta- 


: 


i! 


I 


JOURNAL    I»n    M.     SAIVOI.n. 


231 


lurc  tjuo 
yaiit  (|Uo 
iiMis  en 
iju'ou  lo 

ition  (les 

3U.     T)e- 

.se  do  20 
igo  duus 

dai)s  la- 
ui  veiiait 
Jtait  fort 

:)s.so.ssi'(l  of 

liiul  l)(.'on 

in'.s  i)t'  tho 

iisisting  uC 
almiHliincc 
■;t'  oC  those 
licrc  bi'ing 
iiml  iiuble- 

.Missi-.-sii)pi 
cl  a  colony 
1  liiiii. 
s   Majesty, 
s  and  trees 

a  tnxilition 

wlio  were 

rosscd  tlie 

,Missis.si[)i)i 

iiisclvi's  in 

.■^lioke  tho 

the  intoiia- 

vcre  still  a 

()C(Mi])ying 

('hoeehii- 

uilis  of  the 

<'.\es  were 

ith  oirious 

ins.  hence 

ity.    Tlicy 

ul'ul  nieta- 


nonibroiiso  ct  avail  l.'i  villages  ;  il  on  parlo  avoc  lioaiiontip  do  vone- 
ratiiiii  ct  (le  oraiiite.  Il  nous  a  fait  oiitondro  i|Uo  les  Cliactas  ct  Ics 
Anglais  avaiont  on  allaire  cnsoniblo  ;  cos  dorniors  allaicnt,  dit-il,  aux 
Cliioa!>sas.  ,Io  cruis  fort  ition  i|iio  do  la  Caroline  ils  pouvaiont  avoir 
pas,-6  aux  Cliieassas  oil  deux  lioniiiios  des  lours  sont  otablis.  selon  lo 
rapport  do  M.  Davion,  nn  dos  inissionnairos  (pii  ont  6t»'(  ioi :  eo  niis- 
sioniiairo  avait  eto  aux  Clucassas  avoc  oux  ;  ils  otaient  partis  onsom- 
blc  dos  Tunicas  oil  ils  ont  ote  pour  aclietor  dos  esclavos  dostinos  ii  la 
Carolino. 

La  IVoL'ato  (ju'on  a  trouvoo  dans  lo  Mississippi  jiouvait  Men  avoir 
doniH!  roiidoz-vous  i\  d'autros  Aiiirlais  pour  so  joindro  an  has  du 
flouvo.  Cost  a  savoir  s'il  est  vrai  ijuo  les  Anjrlais  et  los  Cliactas  so 
soiont  liattiis.  Co  sanvajro  avait  sur  liii  uno  oouvorto  blouo  (pi'il  dit 
avoir  trouvoo  prc'sd'un  lioinino  mort.  Co  (jiii  mo  lo  fait  croiro.  c'ost 
que  les  Cliactas  sont  enrages  do  co  (^ii'ils  acliotont  do  lours  osolavos  et 
d'autros  sauvagos. 

I'lus  j'ai  connaissanco  do  oes  cspecos  de  nations,  plus  jo  suis 
frappo  do  lour  niisore.  Si  rosj)oir  do  trouvor  i[ueliiuo  iniiH;  no  sc 
realise  point,  la  cour  no  saurait  etro  reniboiirsoo  des  dopeiiscs  ((ii'il 
lui  faut  fairo,  a  nioins  (jii'oUo  no  jiornu'tto  la  desconte  du  castor  par 
ici,  eo  ipii  no  sora  pas  ruinoux  pour  lo  Canada;  car  il  aura  toujours 

phors.  Their  s]ieechcs  were  concise,  sti-oiiir.  and  full  oC  tire.  'I'lirv  liad  no 
other  ri'li^ion  ilian  that  wliicli  attaciicd  to  their  t'lnn  ral  lites.  'I'hev  had  some 
i(hM  ol'  a  SiipriMMc  l>eini;,  Tiie  French  inissionaiics  never  snccecdnl  in  con. 
Verting  tJH'in  to  (.'iiristianity.  'I'liis  once  (loweri'iil  and  wailiivc  nation  has  now 
ahiiost  disappeared  iVoin  tlie  state  ol' Mis>is>ip|ii.  iiaviiiLC  sold  ont  tlieir  counli'V 
aiivl  einiL:rated  to  tlie  Indian  Territory  west  of  the  Arkansas,  wjieie  tiiey  are 
rapidly  advancing  in  the  arts  of  civili/,ition.  'i'liey  have  a  re]inlilieaii  constitu- 
tion, a  li'gislature.  and  a  judicial  system,  and  eveiy  measure  is  tak'  n  hy  the 
general  gov<'rnment  to  eivili/.e  them. 

The  Cliicachas,  a  bravo  and  warlike  nation  were  anioni;  tlu' most  lianu'hty, 
eruel  and  insolent  people  among  the  southern  Indians.  They  nnmlieiiil  about 
forty  villages,  and  had  numerous  well  cultivated  lields.  They  det'eated  |)e  Soto, 
D'Artaguette  and  IJienville  in  several  |)ii<  lied  ^attle.^.  ainl  were  tin'  enemies 
and  constant  terror  of  French  vnijir^<urs  iipnn  the  Tennessee,  Toinbeeliee  and 
Mississippi  rivers.  Like  the  Creeks,  they  oi'ieii  invaded  a  country.  kiHing  and 
carrying  oll'slavcs  and  ]ilnndcr.  They  iie^.'-lceted  aLM'iculture.  and  when  not  oc- 
cupied in  hunting  or  warl'are.  they  amused  tlii'inselves  with  danciiiLc  and  play- 
ing upon  musical  instruments.  They  were  atliletic,  well  formed  and  :;raeel'ul, 
and  their  women  handsome.  Like  the  Creeks  tluy  punished  adultery  hy  beat- 
ing their  wives  with  poles,  aiid  cr(vpping  their  ears.  Of  ail  the  Norili  Ameri- 
can Indians  they  were  the  most  exjicrt  in  tracking  their  enemies  or  ;,'ame. 
They  were  constantly  at  war  with  otlier  tribes,  and  were  the  iniplacalili'  fe)cs  of 
the  French.  In  short,  they  were  the  SpartuiLs,  and  the  Chactus  were  the  L>oe- 
tiaus  of  Louisiana. 


I 


.•I  I 
i 


I1ii 


.':«■ 


H 


■K     1' 


. 


232 


inSTOIltCAt,    COM.KCTIONs*    OV    I.OtriSIANA. 


Hon  Cdiirs  fl  l;i  iiHMiK!  al)Oii(l;iii('i),  l/mi  t'criiit  bi'iiunnup  dc  tort  par 
li"i  uux  Aii^'liiirt. — Ijii  laiiii'  lit!  linMit'  est  ciicnro  mi  iirtutlc  ii  lit;  pas 
nuglipT.  Lt's  Hiiuvam'c(s.  cii  poii  do  ti'iiips,  cii  fcniiotit  di's  uiiihm, 
nil  licti  di'  la  laissor  pcrdrc  ijiiaiid  ils  out  tiu'-  ties  lii'tcs;  ils  la  dcscen- 
draicnt  pmir  rioii  <iu  dii  inoiiis  pmir  dcs  iKigatcllcs. 

Lo  flu(f  doH  (2iiiiiipisMaH  t;t  (;i'lui  dos  Uaiaj,'oulas  Hont  arrivt'--*  du  *28. 
Lc  proiiiiiT  m'a  foiifinne  cc  <(U0  lu  noniiiie  Laiiiiay  m'avait  dit  ii  son 
sujet ;  il  m'a  racoiitt-  (pio  la  jimuu'Ssi;  do  sa  nation  avait  ('"tr  attai|iior 
M.  de  Jiassallf  pour  vuliT  .sc'S  ^'t:iis  ;  ils  igiioraiftit  I't'irot  di'S  arnica 
u  feu ;  (piaiid  ils  sun  apjx'rciiroiit,  ils  so  rtitirrrunt  on  diVsnrdro,  on 
pcrdunt  (|iiol(pics  lioinincs;  il  ajoiita  ([uo  n'ajant  point  trcnipo  dans 
cottc  attaijuo,  il  lit  otl'rir  ii  31.  do  Jiassalle  lo  caluiiiot  do  paix,  Ti  son 
retour  do  la  inor. 

L'liivor  a  oto  tri-s  voiitoux  ot  tros  froid.  liO  vent  du  Nurd  s'cst 
fait  sontir  tros  vivoinont  pendant  lo  niois  de  fovrior ;  a  poino  avait  on 
rinco  uii  vono.  (jiio  I'oau  (|ui  y  rcstait  otait  f^laeoo  fi  I'iiistant. 

Los  vaissoaux  i|ui  otaiont  on  rado  pendant  los  coups  de  vent  n'ont 
point  sunn'ort  du  tout,  tant  la  tonuo  y  est  bonne.  Cost  lo  soul  en* 
droit,  lionnis  rcnsacola,  on  ils  jiuissont  so  inottre  u  I'abri  du  niauvais 
temps  dans  los  environs  du  Mississippi.  Jo  n'ose  point  assurer  s'il 
est  possible  do  coiistruirc  un  fort  u  la  pointe  oucst  dc  Tile,  attendu 
(j[ue  la  nier  poussoe  par  un  vent  de  sud  la  noio  ;  eii  outre  ce  n'ost  (juc 
du  sable  i[iu  n'a  point  do  solidite.  Si  I'on  batissait  un  fort  u  un 
quart  de  lieiie  de  la  pointe,  11  I'audrait  saus  fauto  fairo  des  citernes 
pour  lo  niaiKiueinent  d'cau. 

A  I'arriveedo  M.  d'Ibervillo,  jc  lui  ai  rendu  coniptc  dc  I'exfk'ution 
dcs  iiistnictioMS  cpi'il  m'avait  laissoos.  Iai  rencontre  do  la  tV6<,'atc 
Anglaise  dans  le  jMississij)pi  hii  a  fait  prendre  lc  parti  de  pousser 
du  monde  dans  lc  fleuvc,  afin  ijue  personne  no  s'cn  cmparat.  Cost 
par  lii  ((ue  j'ai  debute  aussi ;  je  mo  suia  offert  a  lui  pour  y  mener  un 
travcrsier.  Ayant  voulu  y  aller  lui-meino,  il  m'a  charge  d'aller  clier- 
chcr  un  ondroit  proprc  a  clianger  la  colonic  ct  la  pnusscr  a  moitie  clic- 
min  du  i>ortage  qui  est  a  22  lieues  plus  bas  (juc  Ics  IJaiagoulas.  dans 
une  riviere  d'cau  douce  (|ue  j'ai  trouve  avoir  assez  de  courant,  et 
prcsijuc  aussi  large  que  la  riviere  de  Kochofort.  L'ayant  montec  a 
une  distance  d'une  lieue,  j'y  ai  trouve  un  terrain  qui  m'a  paru  assez 
proprc  a  un  etablissement,  quoiqu'il  lie  dure  qu'uno  licue  et  deniie 
sur  ses  bords.  Je  I'ai  monte  a  cinq  lieues,  et  j'ai  trouve  tout  inoude. 
Je  lui  ai  depoche  un  cauot  d'ecorce  (jue  j 'avals  mene  avec  moi,  pour 
lui  rendre  conipte  de  ma  decouvcrte,  et  lui  dire  que  j'attendais  des 
ordrcs  pour  y  fairo  travaillcr.  II  m'a  fait  repondre  qu'il  m'cn  lais- 
sait  le  maitre,  mais  qu'il  ne  lui  paraissait  point  prudent  d'abandonner 


jni;R\.\r.  i»k  m.  hauvoi.e. 


;].'{ 


lo  (crraiii  i|iii'  iiuiis  (iccujiiniis  prrs  dc  l;i  riulo  dii  sunt  hum  vaisscaiix. 
l'uiiii|iie  inmiilla^'c  dc  ci'.s  (|iiartic'rM;  il  ajou'ait  ipic  .>*i  Jc  iic  riimmiB 
ricMi,  il  t'tiiit  il  iiiopds  du  t'airo  t'carrir  iUm  |iicu\  jmur  t'oiistniiri'  mis 
di'ux  liastions,  cii  ipic  jf  I'ais  t'airu  iiici's.sainiiu'iit.  atiii  (|iril  vdic  lo 
travail  ii  smi  ri'timr.  .!••  n'ai  iHiurtaiit  jias  lii'an('nu|i  dc  iii(nid(! :  car 
do  is  lioiiiiiioH  taut  Oiiiiadii'iis  (|iio  flibustiors  nuil  a  lai.ssi'S  iiialadtM, 
iiyuiit  aiiioiio  li'H  iiutroH.  il  ii'y  on  a  (|U0  'i  ijui  so  soittiit  roiiiis.  Mais 
M.  do  Uoouiiard  (|iti  ooimiiaiido  sum  vaissoau  on  son  alisoiioi'  lu'ii 
oiivoyo  six  cliar|ioiitiors  (|uo  j'ai  joints  n  iios  soldats.  C'ot  otlioiur 
met  uii  si  ;L,'raiid  zoU'  ot  uiio  t(dlo  vigilaiico  an  servico,  tiu'il  tnuivo  Ic 
secret  d'arnier  15  cliuloupos  |ioiir  lo  dolmniuoiiieiit  dea  ofl'ots  dostinos 
pour  hi  coloiiio;  il  nous  t'ournit  outro  cidii  lo  plus  do  niatolots  (|u'il 
peut  pour  nous  aiilor  i"i  lialor  los  pioux  pour  nos  lia>ti()ns. 

M.  d'lljorvillo  luo  niando  onooro  son  liourouso  otitroo  dans  hi 
rivioro  (|u'il  a  niontoo  IS  lieues.  II  a  elioisi  un  terrain  tiuoi(juo  fort 
bas  ()ui  n'ost  pas  inonde,  par  lo  rapport  d'un  sauvagi;  (]u'il  avait, 
apr«'S  avoir  donno  dos  ordros  ot  fait  ooarrir  des  pioux  pour  uno 
niaison  uii  il  duit  niottro  six  canons.  II  s'ost  rendu  aux  IJaia'Mulas 
d'ou  sa  Icttro  est  datoo.  M.  do  Tonty  ijui  I'a  joint  u  I'ondroit  de 
I'etaltlissoinont  iju'il  a  fait,  est  de  son  voya;^o.  II  a  doseondu  des 
Illinois  oil  jo  lui  avals  oorit  par  los  niissionnaires  ot  niar(|Uo  a  pou 
pros  lo  temps  quo  nos  vaissoaux  pourraic  iit  arrivor.  (M.  do  Tonty 
est  renionto  aux  Illinois,  lui  oi.'ino,  ot  .sos  ^ens  ont  suivi  31.  d' Iber- 
ville. Des  sauvages  <[uc  j'avais  mcnos  fi  bord,  sont  vonus  m'avortir 
(|u'il  vcnait  trois  butimonts  Espagnols  lo  long  de  la  ooto  oucst.)  M. 
Lcsueur  rosto  aux  Baiagoulas  avoc  ses  1"»  liommes,  ju.stju'au  retour 
dc  M.  d'Iberville.  Jo  souliaito  ((uo  son  bonliour  racoonipagno  on 
ccttc  occasion  p(tur  lo  bion  du  iioi,  ot  ((u'il  trouvo  do  (pioi  so  d»!- 
domnniger  des  dopenscs  (|u'il  a  faites.  11  est  certain  (|u'il  est  impos- 
sible do  so  donnor  jilus  de  peine  ((u'il  no  fait.  Uion  no  lui  est  dilli- 
cile ;  s'il  y  a  ijuohpio  possibilito  de  fairo  uno  clioso.  on  y  peut  comp- 
ter suremcnt.  Jo  suis  outre  de  n'otre  ]>oint  do  co  voyage  par  los 
lumiores  que  j'cii  eusso  pu  tirer.  J'ospore  ijuo  la  cour  mo  niottra 
u  portee,  I'annoc  pioohaino,  .si  I'on  otablit  dans  la  riviere,  do  fairo 
quelquo  decouvcrte  ;  je  no  puis  en  fairo  ici,  tant  les  environs  sont  jiou 
considerables. 

J'osc  me  flatter  quo  les  sauvages  feront  aveugleniont,  tout  co  (jue 
nous  voudrons,  (juoi'qu'ils  soiont  bion  paresseux ;  ils  ont  confianco 
en  ce  que  nous  leur  disons.  J'ai  mono  lo  chef  do  la  .Mobile  voir  los 
vaissoaux,  depuis  Ic  depart  dc  M.  d'Iberville.  II  restait  oxtasio  de 
voir  de  si  grandos  maohinos;  il  s'ost  montre  fort  satisfait  de  Tac- 
cucil  qu'on  lui  a  fait.  II  avait  avec  lui  deux  Chactus  et  lo  chef  des 
15 


234 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


■rp 


Pascagouks.  Ktant  de  rctour  au  fort,  ils  ont  compte  aux  autves 
qu'ils  avaicnt  6t6  dans  des  vaissoaux  qui  allaiont  jusqu'aux  nues. 
qu'il  y  avait  plus  de  cinquante  villages  dans  cliacun  et  du  iiionde  A 
n'y  pouvoir  pas  passer,  et  qu'on  les  avait  fait  descondrc  dans  iin  en- 
droit  oil  ils  iront  vu  ni  soleil  ni  luno  ;  ils  sont  partis  pour  aller  chez 
lesCliactas  Icur  apprendreces  prodiges.  Jc  souhaitc  qu'ils  les  amenent. 

llcvenus  des  vaisseaux  avoc  M.  d'Iborvillo,  ofi  j'avais  ete  pour 
recevoir  les  ordrcs ;  nous  avons  apperqu,  avant  d'avoir  mis  a  terre. 
notre  petit  traversicr  en  feu.  II  nous  a  ete  impossible  d'utcindre  le 
feu  dejri  trop  avance ;  en  outre,  il  y  avait  plusieurs  barrils  de  pou- 
dre  qui.  en  pcu  de  temps  ont  fait  leur  effet  ordinaire.  Cot  accident 
a  ete  cause  par  deux  maladroits  qui  ayantete  travailler  Ti  bord,  y  ont 
laisse  une  mrclie  alluuiee  qui  a  occasione  cetto  perte :  j'on  suis  incon- 
solable, par  le  bosoin  qu'on  en  pent  avoir.  Un  nialheur  n'urrive  point 
soul ;  une  de  nos  bissaiennos  a  deserte :  son  equipage  utait  de  9 
lioninics  que  la  lienonim(c  avait  fournis.  Ce  batimcnt  avait  charge 
a  bord.  selon  son  ordinaire,  et  en  etait  parti  le  1 1  mars  apres  iiiidi : 
jc  n'en  fus  avorti  (jue  le  lendeniain  par  une  clialoupo  qui  vint  des 
vaisseaux.  et  me  demanda  des  nouvelles  de  I'autre  qui  etait  parti 
le  veille.  J'envoyais  M.  de  Boisbriant  apres,  pour  tachcr  do  la  ren- 
contrer,  co  qui  a  ete  inutile.  31.  Dejourdy  a  en  lo  nienie  sort.  Jc 
ne  doute  pas  qu'ils  no  soient  alles  aux  Espagnols.  Ils  ont  sans  doute 
tue  leur  patron  :  ils  lo  lui  avaient  jure,  a  cc  qu'on  m'a  dit. 

L'autre  traversier  est  parti  lo  18  pour  Pensacola  et  pour  les  Apa- 
laclies,  par  ordre  de  M.  d'Iberville  qui  reclamera  cos  gens  la.  II 
ecrit  une  lettre  d'honnetete  a  cliaque  gouverneur,  et  leur  donnc  avis 
de  rintention  qu'on t  les  Anglais  de  s'etablir  dans  cos  contrees.  Jc 
suis  dans  une  grando  inipatienco  de  la  reception  que  ces  messieurs  lu 
feront  au  traversier,  et  comment  ils  accueillcront  uos  hoanetes. 
J'ai  ecrit  aussi  au  gouveneur  de  Pensacola. 

Nos  bastions  soront  bicn  avances  a  I'arriveo  de  M.  d'Iberville,  car 
les  pioux  sont  entiercment  eearris  pour  le  deux  bastions :  colui  de 
I'ouost  est  a  moitie  fait,  ses  pioux  sont  extrCMncnient  forts.  Je  ne 
neglige  pas  un  moment  a  les  mcttre  dans  I'etat  qu'il  faudra.  II  est 
niort,  dans  ce  fort,  -1  hommes  qui  avaient  porte  leur  maladie  do 
France.  Dopuis  Tarrivee  des  vaisseaux.  il  en  est  niort  trois  de  ceux 
qui  etaient  arrives  ici  nialades. 

A  I'egfird  des  porlos,  je  n'en  ai  point  vu  do  vcritables.     Un  lionime 

do  probite  m'a  dit  en  avoir  vu  une  veritable  (^ui  venait  de  la  riviei'c 

des  Colapissas  (Pearl).     II  est  certain  qu'il  y  ou  a  beaucoup,  selon 

le  rapport  des  sauvages. 

Sauvole. 
Fait  au  Four  Bii.oxi.  ce  ler  Avril,  1700. 


JOUKNAL    IJE    M.  3AUVOLE. 


235 


I 

I     v') 


villc,  car 

celui  de 

Je  lie 

II  est 

adie  dc 

de  ceux 


Siiiic  de  ce  (pii  s'cst  pass^:  dans  h  Fort  dit  Biloxi.  drpuis  Ic  dtpurl  du 
traversicr  pour  St.  Duniiniquc  du  1(V  J/r//,  1700. 

Le  12  Mai  les  chefs  d'aome  et  de  la  Mobile  sont  venus  reolaiuer 
notre  protectiun  contre  les  Conchas,  les  Piniscas  et  d'autres  sauvages 
(juc  leur  out  tue  12  hoimnes.  Je  n'ai  pas  balance  u  cnvoyer  du 
monde,  dans  la  necessite  pressante  oii  je  ine  troiive  fa\ite  de  vivrcs. 
Je  leur  ai  facilite  par  la  le  moyen  de  cultiver  leurs  terres.  en  les  ras- 
surant  par  un  tel  secours  :  outre  ({ue  nos  gens  y  ont  vreu  as.se/.  long 
temps,  avec  (juehjues  rassades,  ((uehpies  baches  et  d'autres  petites 
affivires  4ue  je  leur  avals  donnees.  J'etais  bicn  aise  aussi  de  ni'as- 
surer  le  reste  de ble  d'indo  ({u'ils  avaient  cluz eux.  ((ui  nra  dure  jusijuu 
I'arrivreduvaisseau /'£■////</ ///;/ir.  Ce  n'est  pas  lii  une  petite  obligation 
que  nous  devons  a  ccs  gens  lu ;  ils  sont  les  souls  a  cent  lieues  a  la 
ronde  qui  eussent  pu  nous  secourir.  lis  souhaiteut  avec  passion  tjue 
nous  allions  nous  etablir  dans  leur  riviere.  C'est  veritablenient  le 
nieilleur  terrain  de  ces  contrees  S'y  fais  roster  de  nos  gens  jusqu'a 
I'arrivee  de  M.  d'Iberville  pour  voir  ce  qu'il  y  aura  a  taire. 

II  y  a  plus  de  six  niois  (|uc  les  Kspagnols  n'ont  eto  chez  eux  ;  il 
est  vrai  qu'ils  avaient  mis  des  cocbons  dans  leurs  villages,  et  qu'ils 
leur  faisaient  entendre  qu'ils  devaient  s'y  aller  etablir,  lorsqu"ils  al- 
laicnt  y  trafiipier  duble  d'inde.  lis  ne  les  rcgarderont  ]  as  a  present 
sur  le  pied  de  bons  amis,  car  ils  cut  tue  un  de  leurs  sauvages.  J'ai 
toujours  veille  a  ce  que  nos  gens  ne  leur  fisseut  pas  le  nioindre  tort: 
aussi  sont  ils  bien  contents  de  nous. 

Le  1.")  j'ai  reru  une  lettre  de  Mr.  de  IJienville,  du  Mississippi,  oii 
il  nie  marque  avoir  ete  oblige  d'envoyer  de  ses  gens  a  la  chasse  a  la 
]3aie  St.  Louis,  pour  les  faire  subsister,  ne  le  pouvant  pas  au  bnrd  du 
ilcuvc.  Je  lui  ai  envoye  sur  le  champ  tout  le  ble  d'inde  (|ue  j'avais 
ici,  coniptant  sur  le  retour  d'un  batiment  que  j'avais  envoyt';  a  la  Mo- 
bile en  chercher.  II  est  vrai  ([uc  la  garnison  en  avait  pour  dix  jours. 
J'avais  fort  compte  ([ue  le  drtacheuient  du  3Iississippi  serait  beau- 
coup  mieux  (|ue  nous  par  le  moyen  des  Natchez  et  des  Iloumas : 
inais  j'en  ai  ete  detrompe  par  leur  niisere.  J'espere.  Muuseigiieur. 
que  la  notre  vous,  paraitra  assez  touchante,  pour  vouloir  bien  urdoa- 
ner  qu'on  nous  envoic  des  vivres  au  moins  pour  18  niois.  II  pcut 
arriver  des  accidents  dans  une  ausii  longiie  traversi'-e  (pic  coUe-ci. 
Peu  s'en  est  fallu  que  I Enlhunt  ait  eprouve  un  sort  furt  tri^te  en 
echouant  ;  r'eiH  ete  un  niallieur  pour  nous  et  pour  ceux  (|ui  le  con- 
duisaient,  s  ils  u'eussent  allege  leur  vaisseau  qui  s'est  rendu  ici  le  27 
dc  3Iai. 


I!  ! 


'  I 


I 


M 


W 


III:' 


236 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OP    LOUISIANA. 


i 


Lo  capitainc  iii'a  roinis  iin  paijuot  ((ui  consistait  en  deux  lottrcs. 
avco  lo  Tiieiiioire  do  Mr.  d'Ibcrvillo.  et  uu  autre  pafjuct  rcnfcniiant 
(iuel(|ues  oftots  pour  les  sauva,ws. 

Pour  repondro,  iMonsiMgnour,  aux  ordres  que  vous  mc  prescrivcz, 
jo  coimncuecrai  par  assurer  votro  grandeur  (juo  les  12  pirogues  dont 
on  a  besoin  sont  faites.  J'ai  cnvoye  sur  lo  champ  du  nioiide  au  Mis- 
sissippi :  ils  sont  do  retour  depuis  liuit  jours  ;  les  pirogues  sont  de 
30  &  23  pieds  dc  long. 

Quant  \  cnvoyer  un  canot  au  Taniaroa,  il  eut  etc  inutile  dc  Ic 
fairo ;  car  ios  deux  lionimes  dont  Mr.  d'Iborville  fait  nisntion  n'y 
sont  plus.     L'uu  e.^t  ici,  et  I'autre  dans  riviere  des  Arkansas. 

A  I'egard  des  csclaves  du  pa3's  dc  I'Oucst,  j'cn  ai  4  ici.  avec  un 
Illinois  (|ui  parait  avoir  assoz  couru.  L'on  no  nianqucra  pas  do  voya- 
geurs  Francais,  car  ils  sont  en  grand  nombro.  Je  serais  fort  cnibar- 
rasse  sans  lo  sccours  do  la  ]\[obile  oil  jo  les  envoic  subsister.  Je  n'ai  pu 
mc  dispenser  de  fairo  donner  la  ration  a  sept  homnies  que  j'ai  cru 
nous  ctro  lo  plus  necessairos.  et  qui  s'en  scraient  retournos  sans 
cotto  douceur.  Jo  suis  encore  persecute  par  bion  d'autres  qui  no  sa- 
vcnt  comment  so  tiror  d'alFairo  jusiiuTi  Tarriveo  des  vaissoaux  :  car 
on  no  pent  ricn  tucr  ;\  present  a  la  chasse.  Nos  malades  (jui  sont 
au  nombro  de  30.  ne  sauraiont  rovenir  d'uno  fievrc  tierce  cpii  les 
mine,  faute  de  remcde.  et  dos  rafraichissements  qn'on  a  oublies  a 
Rocliefort.  J'attends  I'arrivee  du  traversicr  avec  impatience  :  il 
pourra  nous  apportor  quebjuc  sccours.  J'ai  rocu  un  petit  secours  du 
Mississippi,  consistant  en  quatre  vingt  poulcs.  Cellos  quo  nous, 
avious  ici  out  etc  mangees  jusqu'a  la  derniere.  J'ai  memo  etc  oblige 
dc  fairo  tuer  1  voaux  pour  sustentcr  les  plus  malades. 

La  remarcpie  qvo  j'ai  faito  o.^^t  (|uo.  la  pluio  vonant,  la  nialadio  no 
tarde  pas  a  veiiir  aussi.  Cost  ordinairemont  au  commencement  de 
Juillet.  Co  qu'il  y  a  do  bon  c'cst  (ju'on  n'cn  meurt  pas.  Ce  stjutles 
Acadions  qui  en  sont  le  plus  nialtraites.  lis  n'cn  sont  pas  plus  sages 
pour  cola.  Mr.  d'Ibervillo  conviendra  sans  doute,  a  son  arriveo.  do 
leur  nuitincric  et  do  leur  inconstancc.  (juand  son  frere  et  les  autres 
otliciers  Canadiens  I'assureront  de  leur  desobeissance  et  de  Fair  indo- 
pendani  qu'ilo  souliaiteraiont  avoir.  Pourquoi  (juittont  ils  leur  )iays, 
pounpioi  les  voit  on  errant  dans  co  paysci  et  aillours,  si  co  n'est  pour 
nc  point  travaillor  et  no  dopondre  do  ipii  (pio  cc  soit?  Pout-on 
coniptur  apres  ca,  sur  une  garnison  composee  do  tant  d'inconstaus. 
Je  jiuis  assuror  quo  pour  lo  nioindro  travail  il  m'a  fallu  moi-meme 
aller  les  prendre  dans  lour  lit,  et  no  pas  les  quitter  jusqu'a  ce  (juo 
le  travail  fut  fini.  Jics  soldata  sont.  sans  contredit,  plus  propres  ti 
garder  des  postcs,  et  il  couterait  beaucoup  moins  au  Hoi.     On  pour- 


JoaRNAL    I)K    M.  SAKVOLK. 


237 


■  li  I 
' ::  I 


lie  lo 


I 


raieiit  fairo  un  clinix  d'une  vingtiiinc  do  ces  gens  la,  pariiii  los  plus 
sacos,  si  I'on  crovait  no  pas  pouvoir  s'cii  passor.  L'exoniplo  do  M. 
Losucur  est  tout  recent.  II  y  avait  dos  paris  iei.  ((uc  Ics  gens  ((u'il 
avait  anienes  do  Franco  pour  son  voyage  clioz  le.s  Sioux,  no  le  nienc- 
raient  pas  aux  liaiagoulas.  II  a  pourtant  eti'  oil  il  voulait.  et,  il  est 
rovonu  avec  les  memos  lionnnos.  Jo  dois  convonir  eependant,  (pie  les 
Canadiens  sont  forts,  vifs.  ot  alertes  pour  les  voyages;  niais  il  faut 
quo  lo  jeu  lour  plaise.  lis  attrapent  los  nianieros  des  sauvages  ; 
niais  la  nianiero  qui  reussit  lo  inieux  aupres  d'eux,  e'cst  d'avoir  de 
quoi leur  donner 

J'ai  pri«}  un  niissionnaire  qui  est  parti  d'ici  pour  retourner  aux 
Natcliez,  do  nous  achcter  du  ble  d'indc,  de  lo  inottro  dans  une  ca- 
bano.  a  fin  qu'il  soit  tout  prct  quand  on  i)assera  cliez  cux.  Je  lui  ai 
donno  dos  rassades  pour  cela.  J'ai  prie  oolui  qui  est  ici,  s'il  s'en  re- 
tourno  aux  liouinas.  d'en  fairc  do  nirme  ;  sinon.  j'oiivorrai.  un  eanot 
quand  le  bli;  d'indc  sera  raniasse.  Cost  lo  Pero  Linioge  qu'il  so 
nomine,  il  est  de  la  Compagnio  do  Jesus.  L'autro  est  du  seniinaire 
de  Quebec. 

Commc  il  est  porte  dans  les  instructions  do  prior  lo  reverend 
pero  Jesuito  qui  doit  etro  descendu  des  Illinois  do  vouloir  bien  y  re- 
montor  pour  fairc  desecndre  le  pore  Marost,  jo  lus  cot  article  au  Pere 
Gravicr  et  au  pero  du  llu.  Le  premier  me  dit  fort  modestemont 
qu'il  n'etait  pas  on  etat  de  le  faire.  attendu  qu'il  n'avait  )»as  les  eifots 
convenablcs  pour  sa  mission,  qu'il  Icsattendait  par  les  vaisseaux.  Lc 
deuxieuio  parla  d'un  autre  ton,  et  cut  merite  que  jo  I'eusse  envoye 
lui-nu'-mo  par  la  reponse  qu'il  fit  en  pre.soncc  des  oiliciers  et  de  moi ; 
elle  me  paralt  des  plus  insolento.  J'cn  forai  part  a  Mr.  d'Ibervillei 
ce  n'est  pas  en  cette  soule  occasion  qu'il  a  donne  des  marcpies  de  sa 
legercto.  II  est  rare  parmi  ces  messieurs,  de  trouver  dos  esprits 
uussi  peu  aeeommodants  quo  Post  celui-ci.  II  a  trouve  lo  secret  do  se 
brouiller  avec  tons  les  officiers  do  ce  fort  et  avec  ccux  du  vaisscau 
f Enjlamnii.  Les  remonstrances  que  jo  lui  ai  faites  I'ont  telloment 
aigri  contro  moi,  (ju'il  a  mis  tout  en  usage  pour  s'en  vcnger.  II  a 
ete  jusqu'a  vouloir  soustrairo  des  gens  de  mon  commandoment.  Je 
romettrai  Monseigneur,  des  eerits  u  Mr.  d'Ibcrville.  qui  vous  en  in- 
formeront.  II  est  bien  desagreable,  en  pareil  lieu  d'avoir  affaire  a 
un  tol  homme.  Votre  grandeur  verra  si  jo  suis  capable  de  lui  en 
imposer. 

A  I'egard  de  1' Anglais  qui  etait  etabli  aux  Cliieassas.  il  a  ete 
vole  et  tuo  par  des  Canadiens  voyagours  comine  je  I'ai  deja  mande 
par  le  traversior. 

Les  Anglais  en  ont  agi  bien  differenicnt  a  I'egard  des  3  Cana- 


li 


li 


tit 


: 


238 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


;■<■■ 


¥■  i 


;;i.   i 


t 


diens  qui  ont  ete  u  la  Caroline ;  ils  ont  ete  bicn  rcrus,  selon  le  rap- 
port que  voici : 

Lcs  deux  plus  apparents  nomnies  IJellc  fouille  et  Solon  lu'ont  rap- 
porte  ((u'il  y  a  quatrc  cents  lioues  de  Taniaroa  a  Oliarleston,  autre- 
ment  Caroline.  C'est  par  la  riviere  Wabash  qu'ils  s'y  sent  rendus : 
ils  la  disent  tres  belle.  lis  n'ont  trouve  ( ju'un  portage  d'une  lieuo  et  denii 
qui  est  u  cent  licucs  do  la  Caroline.  Lc  premier  village  (|u'ils  ont 
trouve  appartient  aux  Cliicassas;  il  est  situe  a  droite  en  niontant. 
environ  a  cent  quarantc  lioues  du  Mississippi.  Ensuite  on  rencontre 
les  Coongalees,  los  Cales  ou  il  y  a  un  Anglais  etabli  pour  tratiijuer 
des  osclavcs,  connno  ils  font  eliez  plusieurs  autrea  nations.  Lcs 
Cassotis  et  les  Cakinon  pas,  sont  sur  une  ile  (jue  forme  la  riviere  aux 
deux  extreinites  de  la  quelle  sont  situees  les  deux  nations,  lis  ont 
passe  aussi  chcz  les  Cliorokces  qui  sont  voisins  de  la  riviere  des  Cha- 
vanons. 

Le  Gouverneur  dc  Charleston  s'appelle  M.  Moore.  lis  I'ont 
trouve  a  la  niaison  de  canipagne  a  six  lieues  de  la  villo  ou  pas  un 
d'eux  n'cst  alle.  II  leur  a  oftbrt  (juatre  livres  et  deniic  de  lour  cas- 
tor ((u'ils  n'ont  pourtant  pas  apporte  dans  leur  canot.  lis  en  avaicnt 
seuloinent  de  niontre.  Ils  en  ont  agi  de  lueme  ici ;  ils  veulent  sa- 
voir  s'il  est  perniis  dc  le  passer  en  France.  II  est  positifque  si  ces 
vagalioiids  et  rebelles  prennent  une  fois  I'liabitude  d'aller  aux  An- 
glais, on  ne  les  reverra  pas  de  si  tot  au  Canada,  ni  ici.  II  est  tout  a 
fait  de  conse((ucnce  d'y  niettre  ordre.  Je  conipte  tres  fort,  Mon- 
seigneur,  sur  los  ordres  quo  vous  nous  enverrez  sur  ce  sujet. 

Ils  out  parlo  a  un  ingenieur  Franoais  religionnairc,  quo  M.  de 
Bienville  roncontra  dans  le  Mississippi,  (piaud  je  I'envoyai  faire  op- 
position au  Capitaino  Barr  ({ui  comniandait  une  fn'gate  pour  des 
decouvortes.  Ce  iiu'ino  Fran(;ais  leur  a  dit  avoir  decouvert  une 
ruino  (s'il  faut  et  croire  cos  gens  la)  a  50  lieues  de  la  ville,  dans  la 
riviere  dos  Chavanons  dont  il  avaitenvoye  de  la  niatiere  en  Europe: 
ils  la  disent  etre  d'argont. 

Nous  avons  decouvert  un  terrain  qui  n'cst  pas  noye.  II  est  au 
dessus  dc  retablisseinont  a  10  lieues.  II  y  a  7  a  8  cabanes  de  sau- 
vages  actuollcment.  On  peut  y  conimuni(juer  par  lc  grand  lac  ;  mais 
il  n'y  a  pas  do  (juoi  placer  bien  des  gens,  a  cause  de  son  peu  d'eten- 
due ;  il  est  a  un  ([uart  de  lieuo  du  3Iississippi. 

J'ai  cnvoye  4  honnncs  par  torre  aux  Natchez  pour  decouvrir  si 
le  pays  est  beau,  et  la  distance  qu'il  ya  d'ioi.  Ilsni'ont  rapports 
n'avoir  trouve  qu'  une  riviere  a  quatre  journees  d'ici,  qu'ils  croient 
celle  de  Colapissas  ;  mais.  qu'il  y  a  bien  des  ruisseaux  qui  y  coulent 
en  hivcr,  et  qu'on  aurait  de  la  peine  a  passer.     Ils  ont  trouve  d'au- 


I 

I 


JOURNAL    1)E    M.    3AUVOLE. 


230 


i 


tres  pays  dcpuis.  Celui  des  Natchez  est  bien  different ;  car  il  est 
parfaitement  bon  et  agreablo.     II  y  a  ciiKjuaiite  lieucs  d'ici. 

M.  lo  Sueur  est  arrive  des  Sioux  dans  uno  feloncjuc  (jue  M.  d'- 
Iberville  lui  avait  pretec  pour  rcmontor  le  Mississippi.  M.  de  Touty 
est  ici  aiissi  avoc  des  uiissionaircs.  Jc  n'ai  pu  nio  dispenser  de  fairc 
donncr  des  rations  Ti  ces  Messieurs,  mes  provisions  n'etant  point  ar- 
rivees,  et  M.  d'Iberville  etant  i\  Paris  quand  co  vaisseau  est  parti 
no  m'apportant  quo  peu  do  chose. 

A  I'egard  do  Matliieu  Sajan  (pie  vous  m'urdonnez  de  gardor  en 
CO  fort,  il  nic  parait  fort  embarrasse  :  il  a  trouve  nonibre  de  gens  ici 
(jue  le  connaissont  pour  avoir  ete  engage  au  Canada;  uiais  ils  no  le 
connaissent  paa  pour  fils  d'un  sergcnt  nomme  Duplossis,  coninie  il  a 
voulu  nie  I'assurer.  lis  lo  contrarient  sur  un  voyage  (ju'il  dit  avoir 
fait  il  y  a  22  ans  ;  il  ne  saurait  nonunor  un  des  dix  Franrais  (^ui 
etaient  avcc  lui :  il  n'est  pas  possible  ({u'on  passe  trois  annree  ensem- 
ble sans  on  garder  lo  souvenir.  Cependant  il  no  cesso  de  parlor  do 
la  nation  des  cannibas  ou  il  dit  avoir  vu  uno  si  grando  (juautite  d'or. 
Cost  par  lo  Missouri  qu'il  pretend  I'aller  retrouver.  II  tthnoignc 
beaucoup  d'inipatienco  sur  le  rotardonient  des  vaissoaux.  II  est  sur 
quo  si  I'un  no  part  pas  on  Soptombro  I'on  court  ris(|uo  d'hivorncr 
vers  les  Illinois,  a  cause  des  glaces. 

J'  infornierai  Votre  Grandeur  de  I'arrivee  du  traversior  que  j'avais 
envoye  a  St.  Dominiijuo  pour  y  allor  cherchcr  des  vivios  et  dos  ra- 
fraichisseniens,  et  des  rcniedes  pour  nos  nialades.  II  n'a  porte  ni 
les  uns  ni  les  autres ;  ensorte  ([uo  jo  me  trouve  a  la  voille  d'uu  om- 
barras  pareil  a  celui  de  ci-devant.  II  a  seulemont  apporte  pour  moi 
22  barrils  do  farise  et  queltpies  barriques  de  vin.  Jo  nourrirai  vo- 
lontiers  la  dessus  les  missionnaires.  et  Messrs.  do  Tonty  ot  Lesuour 
jus([u  a  Tarriveo  des  vaissoaux.  Voila  13  hommes  qui  nous  revieu- 
niont  dans  lo  traversior,  autant  (jue  M.  L'intendant  en  a  envoyes ;  si 
bleu  que  les  vivres  quo  j'ai  reeus  ne  sauraient  nous  nioner  qu'an 
eonnaencement  d'Oetubre,  pour  la  farine  ;  pour  lo  lard  il  no  saurait 
durer  quo  jusqu'au  10  do  I'autro  niois ;  quant  au  vin,  il  n'y  on  a  quo 
pour  CO  mois-ci,  parceque  deux  barri([ues  ont  coule  ;  co  (pii  nous  de- 
range beaucoup.  Nous  avons  tenu  conseil  la  dessus  ;  et  d'apres  les 
avis  (juo  j'ai  recus  par  le  traversior  (jue  M.  d'Iberville  etait  encore 
d  Paris,  et  ([u'on  ne  faisait  aucun  preparatif  a  Ilochefort  pour  ici,  il 
a  etc  decide  de  fairo  passer  VEnJlainnu':  par  St.  Doniini(pie,  pour  y 
domander  des  vivres,  si  Ton  n'avait  pas  de  nouvelles  de  M.  d'Iber- 
ville. S'il  s'y  trouvait  par  hasard,  ce  vaisseau  continuerait  sa  route 
pour  France,  ce  retardenient  ne  dovant  durer  plus  dun  mois. 

Les  voyageurs  qui  sout  ici  au  nombre  de  GO  et  plus,  payout  tribut 


m 


iif 


240 


HISTORICAL    COLliECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


a  la  maladio  aussi  bien  que  nos  gens.  II  est  bicn  difficile,  quoiqu'ils 
no  Ic  nu'ritcnt  pas.  d'avoir  qucl(|ue  cliaritu  pour  cux  ;  ccpendant  nous 
ne  soninies  guerc  en  lieu  ni  on  etat  do  Ics  socourir. 

lis  ont  doscendu  quel(|UOs  castors  et  qacltiues  nionucs  pcllcteries. 
J'attcnds,  Monseigueur,  vos  ordres  la  dcssus.     J'ui  vcille  u  ce  qu'on 

n'embarque  point  uu  poil  de  castor  sur  ce  vaisseau. 

Sauvoliv 
Au  Fort  du  Biloxi,  ce  4  Aout,  1701. 


>i 


.  I; 


iqu'ils 
t  nous 

teries. 
qu'on 


MEMOIRE   im  M.   I)E   lUCIIKIJOUlU;, 


st;u 


LA  PREMIERE  GUERRE  DES  NATCHEZ. 


i'S 


Porn,  bien  faire  connaitrc  ce  (|ui  a  donr.K  lieu  a  cotto  nation  de 
se  declarer  contro  nous,  il  fuut  reprcndro  d'un  peu  plus  liaut.  En 
1713.  le  roi  ayant  accorde  la  concession  do  la  Louisiano  a  M.  Cro- 
zat,  M.  do  Lamotlio  Cadillac,  son  associe,  y  fut  cnvoye  gouvcrneur ; 
et  M.  de  JJienvillo,  qui  n'avait  (jue  le  titre  do  lieutenant  de  roi,  cut 
ordrc  de  roster  sous  lui  pour  le  uiettre  au  fait  du  pays.  Mais  le  dit 
sieur  de  Lamotho,  ayant  voulu  so  gnuvernor  ;i  sa  fantaisie,  alieiia  si 
fort  l(!s  sauvages,  quo  M.  de  IJionville  avait  niaintenus  dans  la  plus 
grande  depeiidance  pendant  plus  de  trcize  ans.  (ju'ils  se  jetercnt  tous 
du  cote  dc's  Anglais :  lesquels,  ravis  do  cos  dispositions,  leur  envoy- 
erent  plusieurs  traiteurs  avcc  (juantite  de  marchandises  et  etablirent 
dos  niagasins  aux  Cliactas,  aux  Cliickassas,  aux  Yazous  et  aux  Nat- 
chez, d'ou  ils  envoyerent  des  eniissaires  parnii  le  petit  nombre  de  na- 
tions (|ui  perseveraient  dans  notre  alliance.  II  est  aiso  de  juger  par 
la  position  de  ces  postcs,  qui  sont  au  milieu  de  la  colonic,  (ju'elle  etait 
sur  le  point  de  sa  perte  entiere.  Aussi,  lo  sieur  de  Lamotho,  qui  sen- 
talt  ce  danger,  chargca  M.  de  ]Jicuvillo  de  ramener  los  sauvages 
dans  notre  alliance,  et  do  trouver  los  nioyens  de  faire  rctiror  ies  trai- 
teurs anglais,  qui  etaient  parnii  eux.  Ce  qu'il  fit  en  nioins  d'un 
mois.  En  effet,  il  fit  piller  tous  Ies  niagasins  des  traiteurs  anglais- 
qui  lui  furent  auienes,  et  qu'il  envoya  a  la  Vera  Cruz  pour  Ies  eloig- 
ner davantage.  En  meine  temps,  il  so  fit  apporter  Ies  trte.s  des 
principaux  chefs  Chactas  qui  etaient  alios  a  la  Caroline  inviter  Ies 
Anglais  ix  venir  s'etablir  chez  eux. 

Au  mois  d'octobre  de  cctte  memo  annee,  M.  de  Lainothe  revint 
des  Illinois,  sachant  tout  ce  qui  s'etait  passe.  Comme  il  avait  ete 
mecontent  de  la  mauvaiso  reception  que  Ies  Natcliez  lui  avaient  faite 
en  montant.  il  crut  devoir  ii  son  tour  leur  eu  temoiguer  son  mecon- 


lili 


.31^ 


242 


IIISTORtCAL    COL.LKCTIONH    Ol"    I.OUrSIANA. 


i 

IHu'^ 

ii 

^  j; 

m 

■ . 

m 

m    ! 


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t, 


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tcntoinoiit.  Avfiiit  abordc;  cliez  oux  pour  y  ])rondro  dos  vivres,  Ics 
chefs  s'oinpro.ssrront  do  lui  donncr  tout  ce  ((u'il  souliaitait,  lui  pru- 
sontc-ront   lo  (•alunict  de  la  paix  ct  le  priercnt  d'oublicr  leur  fautc. 


M.  dc  I. 


(Ic  Ijamotlu;  so  ronibaiNjua  sans  los  vouloir  ofoulor.  los  laissant 
aiusi  porsuadiis  quo  co  gouvoniour  avait  rintontion  do  lour  fairo  la 
guorrc. 

M.  do  IJicuvillo  ayant  roru  dans  cc  tonips  de  nouvollos  provisions 
du  roi  au  coiiiiuaiidoincnt  du  Mississippi,  Sa  Majesto  lui  donna  ordre 
d'allor  fairo  plusiours  otablissonioiits  sur  ce  lleuvc  ot  do  coniuioncor 
par  celui  dos  Natchez  avec  SO  soldats.  U  lit  aussitot  travaillor  Ti  la 
construction  des  pirogues  m'cessaircs  ot  disposer  toutes  choses. 

On  apprit  au  niois  do  janvior  171  (>,  par  M.  Davion  niissionnaire, 
quo  (juatrc  Canadions.  qui  niontaioTit  aux  Illinois,  avaiont  etc  assas- 
sinos  j)ar  les  Natchez.  Cetto  nouvelle  engagea  M.  do  liienvillo  ii 
pressor  son  depart.  II  pria  M.  do  Laniotho  do  fairo  noinmer  son 
d'itachoniont  avoc  80  honnnes,  comnie  il  en  avait  I'ordre  do  31.  lo 
cornto  de  Pontchartrain.  Co  quo  31.  dc  Laniotho  rofusa.  II  fit 
seulenient  comniant  la  conipagnie  dc  31.  do  llichcbourg,  qui 
n'etuit  (juo  do  34  homnies.  31.  do  Bienville  engagea  31.  Duclos, 
coiniuissaiio  ordonnateur,  ot  3Iessiours  Ilauzon  ot  Labarre,  agens  de 
31.  Crozat,  dc  so  joindre  a  lui,  pour  repn'scntor  a  31.  do  Laniotho 
I'impossibilito  d'entreprondro  la  construction  d'un  fort  ct  la  guerre 
coniro  les  Natchez,  (jui  comptaiont  au  nioins  800  honimcs.  avec  uue 
conipagnie  do  34  lionimos  !  3Iais  tout  fut  inutile.  11  fallut  done  partir 
avec  cetto  conipagnie  a  laquello  on  ajouta  15  matelots.  On  partit 
dans  huit  pirogues. 

On  arriva  le  23  avril  aux  Tonieas,  a  dix-huit  lieues  des  Natclioz. 
On  apprit  la  (|uo  los  Natchez  avaiont  encore  assassine  un  Francais 
descendant  des  Illinois,  ct  devaiont  en  surprendre  quinzo  autres  qui 
etaiont  attendus  au  nieme  endroit.  31.  Davion,  niissionnaire  di^s  Tu- 
nicas, avcrtit  31.  de  Bienville  que  les  Natchez  ignoraiont  quo  cos 
meurtres  fussent  connus  dos  Francais,  la  chose  etant  tcnuo  fort  so 
Crete  parini  cux.  Le  niissionnaire  avcrtit  on  outre  31.  de  Bienville  de 
se  tenir  sur  scs  gardes  contre  les  Tunicas,  cjui  avaient  memo  rocu 
presents  pour  lo  tuor.  Toutes  cos  nouvollos  avaiont  du  donner  de 
I'inquietudo  a  31.  de  Bienville  qui,  bien  loin  d'en  fairc  paraitre.  fit 
assembler  tous  les  Tunicas,  ct,  sans  leur  donner  a  connaitro  co  (ju'il 
avait  appris,  leur  dit  que  sa  mission  otait  d'allor  aux  Natchez  pour  y 
faire  un  petit  etablissemont  ot  un  magasin  qut  pftt  fournir  a  cotte 
nation  ct  autres,  en  troc  de  lours  polleteries,  les  marchandises  dont 
ils  pourraient  avoir  bosoin.  mais  quo,  comnie  scs  gens  etaiont  tres 
fatigues  du  voyage  et  comme  11  avait  des  raalades,  il  allait  se  camper 


MEMOIRK    KE    M,  I)E    UICII  EltOfJIU;. 


243 


dans  urio  ilo  u  un  tiors  de  lieuo  do  lour  villajrc  pour  so  rojiosor  (|uol- 
<[\\c  tomps  ;  niiiis  ([u'ils  lui  fernicnt  pliiisir  d'ouvnyor  poiidiint  cc 
temps  li'i  i|iiel(iu'un  do  lours  j^ons  ]»()ur  avirtir  Ics  Nutohoz  do  son 
arrivoo  Co  ((ui  fut  fait  dans  lo  nioinont.  I^o  siour  do  l{icnvillo, 
upros  avoir  ro(;u  lo  cahunot  dcs  Tunioas  on  fait  fiimor  ooux-ci  dans 

10  sion,  s'on  alia  avoo  .sa  fiotito  troupo  canipor,  sur  I'ilo,  oii  il  tit  tra- 
vaillor.  dos  lo  londoniain  'il.  h  un  petit  rotninchonient  d'uiu"  cncointc 
do  ])i('ux.  ot  !i  fairo  construirc  trois  bara(|Uo,s:  I'uno  pour  nitttro  Ics 
vivro.s  ot  munitions  do  guerre,  I'autre  pour  corps  dc  garde,  ot  la  troi- 
sionio.  pour  ])rison. 

Lo  •>!'  avril.  il  arriva  trois  Natchez,  (pii  etaiont  onvoyos  par  lours 
chefs  a  M.  do  IJionvillo  au(p»ol  ils  presentoront  lo  calumet,  nu'il  re- 
poussa  en  lour  disant :  (ju'iis  pouyaiont  fairo  fumor  ipiohpios-uns  do 
SOS  s(ddats;  ([uo  pour  lui.  etant  grand  cliof  dos  Franeais.  il  no  funic- 
rait  (|uc  lorsipio  des  calumets  lui  seraicnt  prosentos  par  Ics  chefs  So- 
leils.  Co  discours  doconccrta  un  peu  cos  trois  guerriors.  (Nipen- 
dant  31.  do  Bienville,  lour  ayant  fait  donner  a  manger,  aifecta  do  rirc 
avoc  eux,  lour  demanda  dcs  nouvollcs  en  particulicr  do  lours  chefs, 
temoignant  de  I'emprossemcnt  pour  los  voir  ot  do  rotonneinent  do  co 
qu'ils  n'otaiont  pas   doja  vcnns  lui  ajiporter  dcs  rafraicliissemonts. 

11  ajouta  (ju'apparcmment  los  Natchez  no  so  souciaient  pas  ipio  los 
Franrais  fissent  fairo  un  etablissemont  choz  cux  :  quo  s'il  croyait  que 
la  choso  fiit  ainsi,  il  Ic  forait  aux  Tunicas.  lis  ropondiront.  avec 
une  satisfaction  nmr(pioo.  que  toute  lour  nation  ne  dosirait  rion  de 
mieux  que  d'uvoir  un  etablissemont  Fran(-ais  sur  leur  territoire  et 
qu'ils  otaient  persuades  (|ue,  dans  cinq  on  six  jours,  des  chofs  do  la 
nation  do  manqucraient  pas  d'en  venir  tonioigncr  lour  joio. 

Lc  28  avril,  cos  trois  sauvages  s'on  rotournoront.  .M.  do  IJien- 
villc  fit  partir  avoc  eux,  un  joune  Francais  ([ui  parlait  parfaitemcnt 
bion  lour  langue,  auqucl  il  expliqua  tout  ce  ([u'il  fallait  din-  a  ces 
chefs  et  tout  co  ([u'il  avait  a  lour  repondro  pour  los  engager  a  vcnir. 

Ce  memo  jour,  M.  dc  ]3ienvillo  fit  partir  un  Canadion.  des  plus 
hardis  et  des  plus  adroits.  d.<ns  une  petite  pirogue,  avec  un  sauvage 
Illinois,  pour  romonter  le  flouvo,  passer  la  nuit  devant  los  villages 
des  Natchez,  et  aller  au-dossus,  pour  avcrtir  los  quinzo  habitants  des 
Illinois  qui  devaiont  descondre,  do  so  mefier  des  Natchez,  et  surtout 
do  ne  point  debarqaer  chez  eux.  31.  do  Uionville  remit  a  co  Cana- 
dicn  une  douzaine  de  grandes  feuilles  do  [)archemen,  pour  les  placer 
aux  pointes  de  la  riviere.  II  avait  eerit  en  gros  caractoros  :  ••  l^ios 
Natchez  out  declare  la  guerre  aux  Fran(^ais  ot  M.  de  liienvillc  est 
campo  aux  Tunicas." 

Lc  4  inai,  il  arriva  a  notre  camp  six  Canadiens  voyageurs,  dans 


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IIIHTttUICAI,    COLLKCTION.S    OF    LOUISIANA 


trois  iiiro<»iiCH  olian,'<!t.',s  dc  pollotcries,  lU;  viinidos  fiuiK'-fs  ot  irimilo 
d'ours  ;  losiitids  nous  foiitc'ront  inie,  tio  siKtIiiiiit  pus  ((lus  Ics  Niitclicz 
eussciit  tin''  (1(1  lours  cuiiiiiriuli's,  ils  ('(taiont  alU;s  al)i)rilcr  clic/,  ciix.  vt 
(ju'ii  iH'iiii;  il  ciircut  mis  p'util  ii  torrc.  uiio  vitijifiiiiit;  (riiKiiiiiics  siiu- 
tiTOiit  siir  (MIX.  K's  drsariiuM'iTit  I't  (Mdcvrrcut  tout  oi'  iju'll  y  avail 
dans  Iciirs  jtim/^iK  s.  lis  t'lircnt  conduits  an  villiiiro  du  clicf.  noniiui; 
lo  Harhu.  ^'raiid  (diof  do  puurrcj  do  eetto  nation.  (|ui.  aussitot  (|u'il  Ics 
vit,  lour  doinanda  conil»ion  il  y  avait  oiR'oro  do  Fran(;ais  (|ui  dcscon- 
daiont  aprc'soux;  (ju'ils  avaiont  repondu  in;!;onunu!nt  ct  i(u'ils  on 
avaient  laisso  douzo  on  eluisso  dans  six  pirofrues  ot  ((u'ils  no  tarde- 
raient  jias  ;\  arrivor ;  (juo  pcu  do  temps  apres,  les  grands  chefs  de 
cotto  nation  claiont  vonus  tres  en  colore  grondor  cc  cliof  do  guorro 
do  CO  ((u'il  avait  fait  dosarmor  los  Fraiu;ais  ot  pillor  lours  pirogues  ; 
qu'aussitot.  cos  grands  cliofs  lour  liront  rondre  lours  armos  ot  lour 
proniiront  (juo  lours  eftots  so  rotrouveraiont.  Ils  lour  doimoront  u 
mangor.  ot  on  los  luit  dans  uno  cabanc  soparoo,  oii  ils  rostoront  trois 
jours.  Fondant  co  temps-lu,  cos  chefs  ot  les  prinoipaux  do  la  nation 
tenaiont  oonsoil.  nuit  ot  jour,  pour  doliboror  sur  co  (ju'ils  dovaiont 
fairo  dos  prisonniers.  Le  cpiatriomo  jour,  los  chofs  etaicnt  vonus 
los  ju'cndro  ot  los  conduiro  i't  lours  pirogues  dans  losciuoUos  on  avait 
report(j  pros(pio  tout  ce  (ju'on  y  avait  pris.  Lu,  cos  chefs  avaient  ap- 
pris  a  leurs  prisonniers  (juo  jM.  do  ]Jienville  titait  aux  Tunicas,  a  se 
ropoMT,  ((uo  dans  peu  il  devait  vonir  choz  cux  y  fairo  un  etablisso- 
meut,  ot  (JUO  dans  quohjuos  jours,  ous-niCiuos  comptaiont  lui  onvoyor 
dos  vivros. 

Lo  8  mai.  sur  los  10  houres  du  matin,  nous  vimcs  venir  ([uatre 
pirogues,  duns  Icscjuollos  il  y  avait  huit  homines  dobout  (jui  ohan- 
taient  lo  oaluniot.  ot  trois  homines  dans  cluujuo  pirogue  que  otaient 
assis  sous  des  parasols,  douzo  (jui  nagoaiont,  et  doux  Franqais.  M. 
do  Bienville  no  douta  pas  que  co  no  fiit  los  chefs  dos  Natchez  qui  vc- 
naient  tombor  dans  lo  piege  qu'il  lour  avait  tondu.  Comme  il  savait 
parfaitomont  toutes  les  0(irenionies  dos  sauvages.  il  ordonna  a  la  moitio 
de  ses  gens  de  no  point  paraitre.  nuiis  do  so  tonir  prets  avoc  lours 
amies  dans  le  corps  de  garde,  et  Ti  I'autro  nioitie,  do  so  tonir  sans 
armos  autour  de  sa  tonto  ot  au  d(3bar(juenieiit,  jiour  oter  los  amies  iv 
cos  sauvages  u  mosure  qu'ils  debarqueraient ;  il  rocomnianda  do  ne 
laisscr  dans  sa  tento  (juo  los  huit  premiers  chefs  qu'il  nomma,  les 
connaissant  tous  par  lours  nouis  de  guerre,  ot  do  fairo  asseoir  los  au- 
trcs  il  la  porte  do  la  tento.  Tout  cola  s'cxecuta  parfaitement.  Cos 
chefs  cntroront  on  chantant  tous  los  huit,  lo  culumot  a  la  main, 
qu'ils  passaiont  a  plusiours  reprises  sur  M.  de  Bienvillo,  do  la  t(:'te 
aux  pieds  en  signe  d'union,  ot  apres,  passant  leurs  mains  sur  son  es- 


MKMoinr.  nn  m.  i»i;  iiiciir.iioriK;. 


245 


trtirino  siitiH  frdttcr.  oiisiiito  sur  lo  Ictir.  Ccci  tcrinitH''.  ils  liii  jirt'son- 
tiTi'iit  a  fiiiiu'r.  II  ropoussii  aviM^  mcpris  lours  ciiliiiiirts  ct  Iciir  dit 
i(u'il  vdiiliiit  entendre  leiirs  liarangueH  ct  savoir  leiir  )ienst''i'  avaiit  do 
funiiT.  (V'la  deconcerta  <'es  cliets.  (|iii  sortirciit  dc  la  tciifc  ct  pru- 
seutercMit  les  ealiiniets  an  sidcil.  I'll  d'en.x,  jrrand  in'ctrc  dii  temple, 
parlu  en  I'air,  les  \on\  fixes  siir  le  snleil  pour  I'invcMpier.  les  liras 
etendiis  an-(JesHUs  do  la  tete,  et  ensuito  ils  rentrereii'^  et  rejirescMito- 
rent  de  meiveau  les  ealuinets.  M.  di>  Bienville  lenr  n'-peta.  dun  ton 
ennuye  de  lours  eerenioiiies,  (pi'ils  eussent  a  lui  din;  i|iirlle  satisfac- 
tion ils  voulaient  lui  faire  pmir  les  eini(  Kran(;ais  ipTils  avaieiit  assas- 
sines.  C(!  disoours  les  etuurdit  :  ils  baisserent  la  tete  sans  repondre. 
Pour  lors.  M.  de  iJienville  fit  sij^ne  d(!  les  saisir  ct  do  les  eonduire 
tons  dans  la  prison  (ju'il  avait  fait  jireparer  pour  eux.  On  les  y  niit 
aux  fers.  Sur  lo  soir.  on  leur  presenta  du  pain  ot  de  la  viand(\  Ila 
ne  voulurent  point  manner,  lis  cliantaicint  tons  leur  chanson  de 
mort.  li'uii  des  deux  Fran(;ais  ([u'ils  avaient  ameiie-^  avee  eux.  etait 
le  jeune  interprete  ipii  avait  etc'  les  inviter  Ti  venir.  vt  I'autre  etait 
un  lialiitant  des  Illinois  (pii.  ne  sacliant  pas  la  gnern;.  etait  alie  so 
livrer  entre  leuvs  mains,  lis  ne  lui  avaient  fait  aucun  lort  A  I'on- 
tree  de  la  nuit,  ^l.  do  Bienville  fit  venir  dans  san  tente  li.  iri'and  chef 
dc  la  nation,  (pi'ou  apj)elle  parmi  eu.\  le  (Jrand-Soleii.  son  frt're  lo 
Serpeiitl'i(|ue.  et  nn  troisieiiie  IVei-e.  surnomme  le  I'etit-Snlcil. 
CoiiiMH!  ils  etaicnt  demi-morts.  .M.  (h;  Bienville  pour  les  rassurcr. 
commeii(;a  ])ar  leur  ])romettre  ipiils  ne  voulaient  point  les  faire  mou- 
rir;  il  leur  dit  ([u'il  savait  (pie  se  n'cfait  jmint  par  Imr  ordre  ([u'on 
avait  assassinc  les  cini|  Fran(;ais  :  <|u'il  vmilait  (pie  pour  satisfaction 
on  lui  apportat  non  seiilcinent  le>  t(.''tes  dcs  meurtriers.  mais  encore 
celles  des  diet's  (pii  en  avaient  doniK'-  I'ordrc  :  (pi'il  ne  se  eontenterait 
pas  do  leurs  clievelures.  mais  (pi'il  voulait  lours  t('tes.  afiii  de  les  rc- 
coniiaitre  par  leurs  pi(p"ires:  ipril  leur  donnait  cette  unit  pour  se 
consulter  <Mitr'eux  sur  les  luesuves  (pi'lls  avaient  ;"i  prendre  pour  lui 
faire  uiie  proiiipte  satisfaction,  saiw  (pioi.  il  pourrait  prendre  rn  parti 
faclieux  pour  tout  leur  ii:itioii.  11  aj  iiita  ipi'ils  n'i<.nior:iicnt  ]ias  Ic 
credit  iju'il  avait  sur  tons  nos  sauvaiic^  allic's;  (pi'il  lui  i''tait  facile  de 
les  faire  so  d(3clarcr  contre  eux  ct  de  detriiiro  leurs  liuit  villaixes  sans 
risipier  laviedc  Franeais:  ipi'ils  devaicnt  se  souvenir  (|u'en  1701,  los 
Cliaceliounias  assassinorent  un  missioimnire  et  trois  autres  h'ran- 
cais  :  (pie  sur  leur  rcfus  de  nous  livrer  les  nu'.urtriers.  on  avait  de- 
tache  sur  eux  toutes  nos  nations  alli(''(!s  ipii  leur  lirent  l;i  j!'uerre.  de 
niaiiiere  (pxe  do  (piatre  cents  families  (pi'ils  etaicnt.  ils  furcnt  reduits 
en  moins  do  deux  ans  a  <piatro  vinnts.  * 

j\I.  do  Bienville  leur  cita  aussi  rexample  qu'il  fit  en    WJ2.     II 


,!■ 


240 


IIISTOIIICAI.    i()|,t.i;CTION8    OK    I.(»i;irfI;\N A. 


^'i 


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. 

t'       J 

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if  ' 

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u  ,-i 

i 

Icur  r!i|ipt'l!i  i|u'il  aviiit,  t'liit  (•iHKliiiiiior  ii  tiiort  iin  l-'raiiraiM  pour 
avoir  assnssiiuj  dou.v  saiivaixd.s  I'asiM^oiilaH ;  i|ii'(;ii  170:!.  los  cliofs 
Coirns  no  liruiit  iiuouiiK  dilTK'ultt'  do  fairo  iiioiirir  ((iiatro  do  lours 
guorriors  <|ui  avuiont  UM.sa.s.siin'  uii  nii.ssioimairo  ot  doux  autros  Fran- 
rais;  ((uo  cotto  moiiio  aiiiioo  il  avait  ohli^fo  K's  clictH  Taouaclias  dc 
tuor  deux  dolours  /,'oiisi|ni  avaiont  a.s.sns.sino  un  (!liiokas.sas ;  i|Uo  los 
Cimcoliouiuas,  en  171."),  avaiont  au  jtaroillo  satisfaotinn  dos  ('liaotas 
(juo  Kur  iwaiont  tuo  deux  lionniics ;  i|Uo  los  IMobilions  on  1/07'  por- 
toroii!  1,1  toto  d'un  do  lours  gons  (|ui  avait  tuo  un  Taouaolias;  (|Uo 
Ics  I'.i-cairoulaH.  on  1707.  avaiont  tuo  on  Mobilion,  ot  (|u"il  los  avait 
il  roiidro  satisfaction  aux  oH'onsi's.  «S:o..  \o. 

Los  oliofs  eoouteront  oo  disoours  avcc  bcaucoup  d'attontion  ct  nc 
repondlront  point.  lis  n'>sontHiont  vivoniont  la  lionto  d'otro  anx 
fors  avoo  (in(!l(|Uos-uns  do  lours  valots. 

JiO  ',»  niai.  il  la  poiiito  du  jour,  los  trois  cliofs  froros  doiiianderciit 
a  parlor  i^i  M.  dc  IJionvillo.  Un  los  fit  vcnir.  ils  le  prioront  do 
fairo  attention  qu'il  n'y  avait  porsonnc  dans  lour  village  ([ui  eut  as- 
sez  d'autoritt)  pour  cntroprondro  do  tucr  los  lioiunios  dont  il  dc.'uian- 
dait  lostrtos:  quo  s'il  voulait  lo  pcrniettre,  Ic  cliof  Sorpont-Pi(|u6. 
coninio  lo  niaitvo  do  la  nation,  irait  aoooniplir  cette  dangorousc  mis- 
sion. Co  i(uo  M.  do  ]Jionvillo  rofusa;  ct  il  noninia  Ti  la  place  du 
Serpent  I'iiiuo,  son  frore  cadet,  lo  Potit-Soloil,  qu'il  lit  sur  lo  champ 
partir  dans  une  jiirofrue  armoo  do  douzc  s(dduts  ct  d'un  oiricicr,  ipii 
lo  nionorent  a  doux  licues  au-dossous  du  villiigo  dos  Natchez.  Do 
oet  endroit.  il  s'cn  fut  par  terrc,  ot  notro  dct.achoniout  rcvint  lo  leu- 
domain  matin. 

Lo  10  mai.  il  arriva  une  pirogue  dans  la([uello  il  y  avait  deux 
Canadions.  lis  avaiont  licurcuscment  vu.  au-dessus  dcs  Natchez, 
uuefcuillo  do  parchcuiiii  qui  losavertit  dese  luolier  dcs  Natchez.  sani« 
quoi  ils  seraient  alios  se  livrer  a  oux. 

Le  12  dc  nuii,  le  (Janadien  qui  otait  parti  le  27avril  avec  un  sau- 
vage.  pour  allcr  su-dcvant  dcs  Fran(;ais  ipii  doscondaient  dos  Illinois, 
arriva  avcc  onzc  Francais  qu'il  avait  rencontres  Ti  sept  li<Mies  au  des- 
sus  dcs  Natchez,  sans  (juoi  cotte  troupe  allait  sc  livier  ii  cette  nation. 
ne  sachant  point  la  guerre.  Co  ronfort  tit  d'autant  plus  de  plaisir. 
qu'ils  avaiont  sept  pirogues  chargoes  de  viandos  ct  dc  farinos,  dont 
nous  commoncions  fi  nianqucr.  Nous  apprimcs  qu'un  Francais,  avcc 
doux  Illinois.  (£ui  s'otaient  ocartes  dos  vojageurs,  ot  qui  montaient 
une  pirogue,  avaient  encore  etc  so  fairo  prendre  aux  Natclicz. 

Le  14  mai,  le  Pctit-Solcil  arriva.  II  apporta  trois  tetcs,  dont  on 
no  rcconnut  ([ue  deux  pour  I'tre  do  colics  (juo  Ton  demandait.  M. 
de  Bicil\'illc  fit  vcnir  les  chefs,  ct  icur  dit :  Qu'il  regrettait  la  mort 


MKMoiKi-:  i)i:   M    hi:  UKiiniiui  i((;. 


21; 


\ 


il  un  iiuincont  (|ii  ils  iivaieiit  fait  tui.-r,  et  luur  lit  jotor  (X'tli;  tcto  iuix 
pioils.  lis  iivoiiereiit  t|u't'lli!  etuit  fullo  d'uii  gucrriiT  im'i  n'aviiit 
point  oil  (le  piirt  duns  I'lissassiniit  di-s  Kninriiis ;  niiiis  i|Uo,  ('itiiiiiir  il 
('itait  friTO  d''.in  des  nioiirtricrs  (|iii  Icur  t-tiiit  r-eliapin'.  ils  iivaicnt  cru 
doviiir  lu  tiuT  ii  sa  plaro.  M,  dc  Hitiiivillc  Icur  niariiua  l)i'aiiciiii|)  do 
nu'coMtcntcnuiiit  <lc  ci'  ipi'on  no  lui  avait  pas  appiirtc  Ics  antics  tries. 
ot  li:nr  dit  i(u'il  voiilait  inic  if  liMidiMiiain  ils  rLiivuyasst'iit  ciuMiri' 
t(Uol((Uo  elior  On  remit  ii!  I'efitSideil  en  prisun  et  anx  I'ers  avee 
les  antres,  Le  l''ran(;ais  et  U'S  deux  sanva;,'es  llliiKiis  ijiii  i-taient 
alli's  su  livrur  anx  Natelie/.  depnis  (|iiatre  jours,  imuis  avaiiuit  ete  ra- 
mcnes  par  Ic  elief  Petit  Soleil,  amiiKd  ils  dovaitiit  la  vie.  car  il  los 
nvait  delivres  de  jioteau  eii  ils  avaicnt  ete  attacdies  p(nir  etre  lirul»!S. 
Cc  Kran(;ais  assnra  M.  de  Hionville  (|u'il  no  doseendait  plus  de  I'ran- 
(;ais  (In  liaiit  dii  Mississippi,  et  (juMI  etait  le  dernier.  Co  ipii  lit;,'rand 
plai^ir. 

Lo  ir»,  on  cnvoya  anx  Natolie/  deux  eliet's  de  ^'uerrc;  et  le  ,i,'rand 
prf'tro  du  tcinplo,  (jui  so  faisaioiit  fort  do  rajiporter  la  t(  te  dn  eliof 
Oyelapo.  aiitrt'inent  dit  la  Torre-lJIanelie.  TIs  f'nreiit  conduits  par 
un  detaclieiiient  de  soldats  ]iros  d((  leurs  villa^^es,  Co  niciiie  jmir.  le 
chef  des  Tunicas  vint  avoc  M.  Davion,  lenr  missionnairo.  avi.'rtir  M, 
do  liienvillo  do  so  liidi  tenir  sur  sos  gardes  ;  ipi'il  avait  en  neuvellos 
par  trois  de  sos  gens  i|ui  venaient  d'arriver  dos  Mutclicz.  (pie  cettc 
nation  s'assemblait,  et  (jue  leurs  guerriers  avaicnt  pris  'a  r(''solution 
dc  doseendro  tons  on  pirogues  pour  nons  venir  egorger  dans  notre 
cam]),  et  sauver  juir  la  tons  lours  eliefs,  ou  porir  avoc  cux.  Ces  Tu- 
nicas ort'rirent  d'envoyor  (piaranto  de  lours  plus  braves  guerriers. 
toutos  les  nuits,  pour  nous  gardor.  M.  do  IJienville.  (jao  so  niefiait 
autant  do  conx-ci  (pic  des  antres,  les  remercia.  et  lour  dit  (pi'il  nc 
craignait  rion  ;  (pio  eopendant.  ils  lui  feraient  plaisir  do  eontiiiuer  n 
cnvoyor  des  ospions  cliez  ees  Natchez,  pour  apprendro  co  (pi'ils 
faisaiont. 

Les  di^'bordenients  du  Mississippi  eoinnieneerent  fi  inonder  tout 
le  terrain  dc  1  ilc  on  nous  (Hions  cainp('!s.  11  y  avait  (leini-]iied  d'cau 
par-dessus  la  plus  haute  terrc.  Cc  (pii  nous  causait  Leaneoup  do 
iievres.  nianx  do  jainbcs  ot  corKpies,  ayant  tonjours  les  pieils  dans  de 
I'eau  froidc,  par  des  chalcurs  cxcossivcs.  M.  do  liionville  ne  pouvant 
plus  so  tonir  tons  sa  tcnto,  fit  fairo  nn(!  bara(pio  ent')ur(''e  de  pieux. 
couvortc  dV';eordes  d'arbrcs.      II  fit  anssi  clever  nuo  petit(!  puudricro. 

Le  chef  Scrpent-Pi(pi6  ayant  attrape  la  fievro.  M.  de  Bienville  Ic 
fit  sortir  do  prison,  lui  ota  ses  fors.  ot  lui  permit  do  so  tenir  tout  le 
jour  chcz  lui,  IJienville,  avoc  scs  fiercs.  II  avait  lieu  d'etre  content 
d'eux.     M.  dc  liionville.  (pii   passait  ainsl   toutes  scs  journ^cs  avoc 


248 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


,M 


t   t 


ces  cliofs,  lour  reprochait  toutos  kairs  maiivaises  manoeuvres,  cu  lour 
(lisaiit:  (^u'ils  uvaient  roru  rainiro  dornierc  des  traitcurs  anglais,  et 
deux  jcuncs  garcjons  do  cetto  nation  pour  npprcndre  lour  laugue ; 
qu'apros  Ics  avoir  ronvoyes  sur  .sa  dcniando,  ils  lui  avaiont  ])ronus 
quo  jamais  ils  no  so  detaclieraicnt  do  rallianco  ot  do  I'aiiiitio  dcs 
Fran("ii.s:  que  cepcndant,  six  nioi.s  apros,  ils  avaiont  oto  assoz  traitros 
pour  assassiner  Ics  premiers  Franciiis  (|ui  avaiont  paru  cliez  oux  :  (jue 
tout  autre  clief  Franoais  quo  lui  no  wo  contonterait  pas  do  lour  de- 
mandorsouloinont  los  tetosdos  nunirtriors,  niais(ju'il  fcrait  joindroa  lui 
toutos  Ics  nations.  Icurs  onnomis.  ot  irait  los  dotruireentioroincnt :  ([ue 
noanmoins,  ils  pourraiont  lo  foroor  a  prendre  co  parti,  s'ils  oi^aiont 
I'amu.sor  onoore  long-temps.  Cos  chefs,  afirus  etro  convcnus  do  toute 
la  traiiison  ot  do  toute  la  fourborie  do  lour  nation,  assuroront  (|u'ils 
n'avaiont  jamais  paru  dans  los  consoils  (pii  s'otaient  tonus  pour  in- 
viter  les  Anglais  u  vonir  s'l'tablir  cliez  oux;  (|uo  Ics  Franrais  qui 
etaiont  pour  lors  dans  le  village  dcs  Natciiez  pourraiont  lour  rondre 
cette  justice;  que  pour  oc  <pii  rtait  de  I'assassinat  des  Francais,  ils 
no  I'avaiont  su  (juo  Iiuit  jours  aprcs.  ot  (ju'ils  los  avaiont  rcgrcttcs  et 
pleurcs.  Dans  co  moment,  ils  joteront  do  grands  soupirs  ot  voi'soront 
quel(iuos  larmes.  M.  dc  IJionville  lour  donianda  co  qu'ils  rcgret- 
taient.  lis  repondiront  (ju'il  otait  temps  d'avouer  los  clioscs  tolles 
qu'oUos  s'etaient  passecs ;  que  trois  cliofs  do  guerre  des  villages  dos 
Noyors.  do  la  'J'orro-Blancho  et  dos  Grigas.  c'taient  les  souls  autours 
dos  diisordros  arrives  dans  leur  nation  ;  (pie  c'etaient  ces  trois  chefs 
qui  avaiont  attire  les  Anglais  dans  lour  vilhige  ;  ({uo  c'etait  par  lour 
ordre  (|\io  los  Francais  avaiont  oto  tuos  ;  (pi'il  y  on  avait  deux  aux 
fcrs  dans  iiotre  prison  ;  (pie  I'un  s"appolait  lo  chef  Le  Barbii.  lequol 
etait  lour  froro  do  more,  et  I'autre  Alalioflochia ;  (|uo  lo  troi- 
sienie  n'ctait  point  doscondu  avoc  oux.  ot  so  nominait  lo  chef  de 
la  Torro-l)lanche  :  que  cos  trois  chefs,  depnis  un  an.  avaiont  pris  uno 
autorito  si  graixlo  sur  lour  nation,  qu'ils  etaiont  plus  craints  et  obeis 
qu'eux.  Lo  chef  8orpent-Pi(pie  avortit  oucoro  ({u'll  y  avait  aussi 
dans  notro  prison  deux  autres  gnorriers  (pii  avaiont  tuo  Icdcrnior 
Canadion  au  mois  dc  mars,  ct  affirma  qu'il  u'en  conuaissait  point 
d'autrcs. 

3r  do  Bionvillo  dit  il  cos  trois  chefs  qu'il  s'etait  toujours  bien 
doute  ([u'ils  n'avaiont  point  ou  do  part  aux  mauvaisos  atlaires  arri- 
vees,  ot  ([uo  desormais  il  no  voulait  })lus  (pi'ils  entrassout  dans  lo  pri- 
son.    II  lour  fit  fairc  dos  lits  dans  sa  bara(iuo. 

Lo  2")  mai,  los  deux  chefs  de  gucrro  (pii  avaiont  ete  envoyes  a 
leur  village  pour  avoir  la  tetc  du  chef  de  la  Terre-Jilancho,  rovinrent 
sans  la  porter  ct  en  disant  qu'il  etait  on  fuito.     lis  umeuoreut  plu- 


> 


MEMOIUE    DK    M.  UK    IlICIl  KBOURO. 


249 


l)oiut 


siours  eaclaves  qui  appartcnaicnt  aux  Franrais  (ju'on  avait  dies.  lis 
apporterent  aussi  bcaucoup  di;  Icurs  offcts.  ]ju  noinbrc  dos  nuilades, 
qui  augtnentait  tous  les  jours  dans  notro  oanip,  cngairea  31.  do  Bien- 
ville a  prcudrc  le  parti  de  terminer  cotto  petite  guerre. 

Lo  ler  de  juin,  il  fit  sortir  du  fort  tons  les  chefs  ot  autres  qui  y 
fitaient  depuis  un  niois,  a  la  reserve  des  quatro  criniinels.  II  les  fit 
vcnir  chez  lui,  ou  ctaient  les  trois  autres  chefs,  et  leur  dit :  qu'il  vou- 
lait  bien  leur  douner  la  vie  ct  leur  accorder  la  pais,  a  condition  "lu'ils 
lui  donneriiient  parole  qu'ils  tueraient  Ic  chef  de  la  Terre-lilanche 
sit6t  qu'ils  le  pourraicnt  joindro  et  en  apporteraient  la  tete  u  I'of- 
ficier  Francais  qui  scrait  chez  cux ;  qu'ils  conscntiraicnt  des 
a  present  ii  co  que  les  deux  chefs  de  guerre  ct  les  deux  gucrricrs, 
qui  etaient  actuellenient  aux  fera  dans  notre  prison,  fussent  mis  a 
inort,  peur  reparation  do  Tassassinat  qu'ils  avaient  conimis  :  qu'ils  fe- 
raient  restitucr  tout  ce  qui  avait  ete  pille  ;  que  pour  cc  (|ui  so  trou- 
verait  perdu,  ils  forceraient  leurs  gens  u  en  payer  la  valeur  en  pelle- 
teries  et  en  vivres  ;  qu'ils  obligeraieut  leur  nation  a  coupor  deux 
mille  cinq  cents  pieux  de  bois  d'acacias,  de  treizc  pieds  dc  long  et  de 
dix  pouces  de  dianietre,  et  a  charroyer  le  tout  pres  de  la  riviere  Mis- 
sissippi, au  lieu  (|uc  leur  serait  par  nous  indi(jue,  pour  nous  faire  un 
fort :  qu'ils  s'obligeraient,  en  outre,  a  nous  fournir  trois  mille  ecorces 
d'arbres  dc  cypres,  pour  couvrir  nos  logcments,  et  ce,  avant  la  fin  de 
juillet. 

Tous  ces  chefs  rcmercierent  M.  de  Bienville,  lui  firent  chacun 
une  harangue  ou  ils  protestiu-ent  de  leur  devouement  aux  Fran(jais 
en  disant  qu'a  I'avenir  ils  se  eonduiraient  de  maniere  a  no  plus  meri- 
ter  de  reproches  de  nous,  qu'ils  '  luaient  de  soleil,  leur  Dicu,  de  leur 
avoir  inspire  d'engagcr  leurs  clu  Is  de  guerre,  meurtriers  des  Fran, 
cais,  11  venir  avee  eux  pour  se  livrer  a  nous  ;  que  sanscela  il  leur  au- 
rait  ete  impossible  do  nous  fairc  satisfaction  par  la  graiide  autorite 
que  ces  nialheureux  avaient  prise  siir  leur  nation,  et  qu'il  etait 
juste  que  nous  les  fissions  Tnourir  avec  les  deux  autres.  lis  repete. 
rent  ensuite  tous  les  articles  et  toutcs  les  conditions  auquels  ils  s'cn- 
gageaient,  promiront  de  les  exeeuter  fidelemcnt  ct  den  fairc  laeine 
davantage. 

Apres  ces  harangues  finies,  ces  chefs  demandant  a  M.  de  Bien- 
ville, s'il  voulait  leur  pernicttre  qu'ils  lui  presentassent  a  fuiner  dans 
leurs  calumets  dc  paix,  il  leur  dit  qu'il  n'etait  pas  encore  tcnifs; 
qu'ii  voulait  auparavant  (ju'ils  allassent  a  leurs  villages  y  faire  iS. 
sembler  leurs  guerriers  ct  leur  cxplicjuer  les  conditions  auxipielles  il 
leur  accordait  la  paix,  et  qu'il  enverrait  avec  cux  un  ofiicier  et  deux 
soldats  pour  en  etrc  tenioins. 

IG 


250 


IIISTORICAI,       COF,l,GCTIONS    OF    liOUISIANA. 


m> 


Les  quatro  criiiiliicls,  .so  voyaiit  souls  dans  cotto  prison,  so  doute- 
rcnt  hum  quo  nous  otions  instruits  do  co  (ju'ils  avaient  fait  et  redou. 
bleront  lours  oris  et  lours  oliants  do  niort.  Le  Serpont-Pii^ur,  craig- 
nant  quo  coux  do  sos  gons  qui  dovai(Mit  partir  pour  aller  u  lour  vil- 
lage, no  fusscnt  rapportor  ([u'ou  voulait  fairo  niourir  cos  grands 
gucrriors,  ot  quo  oola  n'occasionnat  uno  rumour  parnii  la  nation,  par 
la  graiide  estiuio  qu'on  avait  pour  oux,  pria  M.  dc  Bienville  de  faire 
courir  le  bruit  sculomont  do  Ics  envoyer  au  bas  de  la  colonic  au  gou- 
vernour,  qui  dooidorait  do  lour  sort,  et  lui-nirmo  alia  les  trouver  en 
prison  pour  lour  assurer  qu'ils  no  niourraiont  point  et  qu'ils  dcvaient 
€tre  trancjuilles. 

Lo  3  do  juin,  ie  sicur  de  Pailloux,  aide-major,  fut  commande  avec 
deux  soldats,  pour  aller  au  village  dcs  Natchez  avec  tons  les  chefs 
et  autres,  Ti  la  reserve  du  chef  Serpent-ri([ue  et  do  son  frero.  que  M. 
dc  Bienville  voulut  garder  pour  otages.  II  donna  ordro  a  M.  dc 
Pailloux,  en  oas  que  cette  nation  acccptat  le  traite  dc  paix.  de  roster 
au  grand  village  avec  un  soldat  et  de  ronvoycr  I'autrc  avec  les  chefs 
qui  dcvaient  revenir  rendre  compte  de  lour  mission.  II  recommanda 
aussi  a  M.  de  Pailloux  d'examiner  lo  lieu  lo  plus  convenable  ;\  placer 
notro  fort,  pros  do  la  riviere,  et  d'en  informer. 

Le  7  juin.  la  pirogue,  (i[ui  avait  et('  aux  Natchez,  rovint  avec  neuf 
vieillards  de  cette  nation  et  le  soldat,  par  lequel  lo  siour  de  Pailloux 
ecrivit  qu'il  avait  vu  toute  cette  nation  assembleo ;  qu'elle  avait  mar* 
que  uno  gratido  joie  do  ceque  lours  chefs  avaient  fait  avec  nous  ;  et 
que  tons  ces  Indiens  etaieut  tres  disposes  a  executor  tout  co  qu'on 
leur  deniandait.  Lo  dit  sieur  do  Pailloux  I'informait  aussi  qu'i 
avait  trouve  pros  de  la  riviere  un  coteau  situe  tres  avantageusement 
pour  y  construire  notro  fori.  Lo  nirnie  jour,  M.  de  Bienville  rocut 
les  calumets  qui  lui  furent  preseutes  par  cos  neuf  venerablos  vieil- 
lards avec  boaucoup  do  ceremonies.  On  les  fit  ensuite  fuiner  dans 
le  notro.  Lo  lendomain  Seme  de  juin,  M.  de  Bienville  renvoya  les 
neuf  vieillards  chez  cux.  II  pcrniit  aussi  au  chef  Petit-Roleil  do  par- 
tir, niais  il  garda  aupres  de  lui  le  Serpont-Pi(pie,  et  envoya  en  meme 
temps,  dans  line  pirogue,  (juatre  soldats  porter  au  siour  do  Pailloux 
des  haches,  beches,  pioehes,  cloux  et  autres  ferrenicnts  necessaires 
pour  la  construction  du  fort. 

Le  9,  on  fit  casser  la  trte  aux  deux  guorriers  par  des  soldats. 

Le  11,  M.  de  llichobourg.  capitaine.  qui  ctait  malade,  partit  avec 
trois  soldats  pour  retourner  a  la  Mobile. 

Lo  12,  M.  de  Bienville,  ([ui  retenait  dcpuis  quelque  temps  les 
Canadian  voyagours.  leur  permit  d'aller  a  leur  commerce  au  bas  de 
la  colonic,  leur  fit  remettrc  les  deux  chefs  dc  guerre,  et  lour  donna 


,  1 1 

»:.  i  I  ■ 


MEMOIllt;    DE    M.  DE    RICHEBOURO. 


251 


mar- 
is ;  et 
([u'on 
qii'i 
senient 
rccut 
vicil- 
tlaiis 
ya  les 
0  par- 
meme 
;iillous 
ssaires 


ps  les 

bas  de 

donna 


I'ordre  do  Icur  cassor  la  tetc,  lorsqu'ils  soraicnt  oloigiu's  do  dix  i\ 
douzo  lieues.  Coiunio  on  conduisait  cos  deux  nuiUicuroux  pour  les 
onibanpicr,  I'un  d'eux,  lo  Barbu,  cos.sa  pour  un  moment  do  chanter 
sa  chanson  do  mort  et  chanta  cclle  de  guerro.  II  conta  sos  hauts 
faits  contro  differcntcs  nations,  et  le  nonibre  do  chovelures  qu'il  avait 
leveos.  II  nomma  les  cin([  Franrais  qu'il  avait  fait  tuor,  ct  dit  qu'il 
mourrait  avec  lo  regret  de  n'en  avoir  pas  tue  davantago.  Lc  Ser. 
pent-Pique,  qui  pour  lors  c'tait  lc  seul  de  sa  nation  parmi  nous,  I'e- 
coutait  attentivemcnt.  et  dit  a  M.  do  Bienville:  Cost  mon  frere 
niais  jc  ne  lo  rogrctte  point.     Tu  nous  defais  d'un  niechant  lionnne. 

(Joniuie  le  [Mississippi  no  baissait  point,  ot  <pic  I'eau  etait  toujours 
a  cinq  ou  six  poucos  sur  al  surface  de  la  tcrrc.  ce  (pii  eontinuait  ;"i  nous 
donner  beaucoup  de  maladies,  M.  do  Bienville  fit  passt  ■  les  .'naiades 
et  les  convalescents  au  village  do  Tunicas,  qui  sunt  s  .-  des  tcrres 
tres  liautes.  Ces  sauvages  ourcnt  grand  soin  do  lour  fournir  des 
viandes  fraichcs  de  banif  et  de  chevreuil. 

Lo  li  juin,  il  arriva  chez  les  Tunicas  luiit  Natchitoches,  dans  une 
pirogue  chargee  de  sel,  que  ceux-ci  venaient  vendre.  31.  de  Bienville 
eut  par  ce  •  sauvages  avis  do  la  marche  des  Espagnols  du  ]Mexi<jne 
pour  venir  .s'etablir  sur  la  riviere  llougo,  au  nonibre  de  cinq  cents 
hommes  a  cheval,  avec  deux  cent  cin(piantc  mulcts  de  charge.  Pour 
les  prevcnir,  iltit  partir  sur-lecduunp  six  suldats  et  un  scrgont.  pour 
aller  prendre  possession  du  haut  de  cette  riviere  avant  eux. 

Le  ler  de  juillet,  M.  de  Pailloux  ecrivit  a  M.  de  Bienville  que 
les  trois  cpiarts  des  pieux  pour  notrc  fort  etaiont  charroycs  sur  place; 
(pi'il  y  avait  des  sauvngos  ((ui  travaillaient  a  faiie  des  rigules.  ct(pi'il 
aurait  besoin  do  six  soldats  des  adroits  pour  niontrer  aux  sauvages  a 
planter  des  pieux  droits  et  de  iiauteur  (''gale.  Le  lendemain.  'i  du  dit 
mois  on  lui  envoya  six  soldats  et  tons  les  outils  neeessaires. 

Lc  22.  M.  de  Bienville,  ayant  appris  (pie  son  fort  ('tait  pres(jue 
fini,  ordonna  au  chef  des  Tuni(.'as  de  lui  fournir  trente  do  ses  gens 
pour  nous  aider  ;\  inonter  la  rivit'r(\  (pii  (;toit  trt~'s  rapide.  II  lie  nous 
restait  pas  dix  soldats  en  sante. 

Le  2G,  nous  arrivaiiies  aux  Natchez.  Le  Scrpcnt-Pi(jU("'.  (pie  nous 
avions  avec  nous,  lit  venir  cent  ciinpiante  de  scs  gens,  (pii  pnitcrent 
tous  nos  cft'ets  iv  uotre  fort,  le  nii'ine  jour. 

Le  lendemain,  nous  mimes  le  pen  de  soldats  que  nous  avions  en 
sant(5  au  travail  du  fort,  et  coiitinuames  jusqu'au  2  aoiit.  c|u'il  fut  eii- 
tiercment  fernu'.  liCS  Natchez  nous  f  ..vniront  toutes  les  ('corccs 
(ju'on  leur  avait  dcmandties,  et  ((u'on  cniploya  a  couvrir  un  magasin, 
une  poudriere,  uu  corps-de-gardc  ct  de  casernes,  JiC  tout  fut  fi:ii  le 
3  aout. 


252 


HISTORICAL    COLLECTIONS    OF    LOUISIANA. 


hn    '■ 


hi  M 


Lc  2r>,  line  trcntaine  d'honimes  Yazous  ct  Offagoulas  vinrerit 
chanter  le  calumet  a  M.  de  Bienville,  qui  les  rerut  parfaitement  bien 
Le  meme  jours,  les  Natchez  vinrent,  au  norabre  de  cinq  a  six  cents 
hommcs,  sans  armes,  ct  environ  trois  cents  femmes,  pour  fairo  une 
danse  publique  devant  notre  fort,  Les  ches  cntrcrent  dedans,  firont 
fumer  31.  de  Bienville,  et  lui  dirent  que  tous  ccs  gens  etaient  vcnus 
danser  a  sa  porto  pour  lui  marquer  leur  joie  d'avoir  des  Francais 
^tablis  parmi  cux. 

Le  28  aout,  M.  de  Bienville,  voyant  que  les  choses  etaient  fort 
tranquilles  dans  sa  garnison,  ct  qu'il  n'y  avait  rien  a  craindre  de  la 
part  des  sauvagcs,  donna  au  sieur  de  Pailloux  dcs  ordrcs  et  instruc- 
tions sur  ce  qu'il  y  avait  a  faire.  et  prit  le  parti  de  descendre  ji  la 
Mobile,  pour  rendre  compte  a  M.  de  Lamothe  Cadillac.  Le  4  d'oc- 
tobre,  il  arriva  a  la  Mobile,  ou  il  lui  fut  rcmis  un  paquet  du  conseil 
de  marine,  dans  bquel  etait  pour  lui  un  ordre  du  roi,  pour  comman- 
der en  chef  dans  lu  colonic,  en  I'absencc  de  M.  do  I'Epinay,  nomme 
a  ce  gouvernement  a  la  place  du  sieur  de  Laraothe  Cadillac,  auqucl 
1  n'eut  point  le  desagrement  de  rendre  compte. 

Ainsi  finit  la  premiere  guerre  des  Natchez. 


i1i 


ulas  vinrciit 
itement  bien 
I  a  six  cents 
)ur  faire  une 
Icdans,  fircnt 
etaient  venus 
les  Francais 


i  etaient  fort 
•aindro  de  la 
js  et  instruc- 
scendre  a  ia 
Le  4  d'oc- 
st  du  conseil 
our  comman- 
•inay,  nomine 
iillac,  auqucl 


